The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Lee A. Downer, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Downer distinguished himself as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Director of Operations; Director of Operations and Intelligence; and Director of Operations, Plans, and Intelligence, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, from 8 October 1992 to 24 April 1994. Under his visionary leadership, United States Air Forces in Europe successfully underwent tumultuous changes to include a dramatic drawdown in forces while maintaining an extremely high operations tempo supporting Operations PROVIDE PROMISE, DENY FLIGHT, PROVIDE COMFORT, and RESTORE HOPE. The makeup of today’s combat Air Force in Europe is the direct result of General Downer’s warfighting attitude and keen ability to apply the tenets of airpower in reorganizing and drawing down that force structure. He has insured that United States Air Forces in the European Theater lead all other nations in capability and training and provide a core of the most advanced combat capability in the world. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Downer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Lee A. Downer, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Downer distinguished himself as Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, from 1 August 1994 to 30 June 1997. During this period, General Downer’s outstanding achievements and dynamic leadership resulted in fundamental advancements in Air Combat Command’s contributions to this Nation’s airpower. As the senior operations officer for ninety percent of the Air Force’s air power, General Downer was instrumental in satisfying National Security Objectives in Europe, Southwest Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Laying the foundations for the Air Force of the future, General Downer made lasting improvements in combat effectiveness through truly significant training enhancements and the use of Unmanned Air Vehicles and Information Warfare. General Downer’s vision was crucial to enhancing realistic training by integrating distributive mission training simulation into his Warrior Flag program and ensuring long term access to airspace and ranges. A true architect of airpower, General Downer refined the Air Force’s Core Competencies by both crafting and successfully demonstrating the Air Expeditionary Force National Command Authorities now have a responsive worldwide deterrent as part of this Nation’s Global Engagement Strategy. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Downer culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.