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 Paul W. Essex, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Essex distinguished himself as Director of Global Reach Programs, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, from 26 April 2000 to 4 February 2003. In this critically important assignment, the exemplary leadership, innovative management style, diligence, and devotion to duty displayed by General Essex were instrumental in the successful research, acquisition, and deployment of mobility, trainer and Special Operations Forces aircraft. Under his stewardship, several critical milestones and models of acquisition reform were achieved, including: establishing a multi-year pilot program for leasing air refueling and executive support aircraft; directing a multi-year procurement of sixty additional C-17 aircraft; establishing the first ever multi-year procurement program for the C-130J aircraft; overseeing the testing and procurement of the CV-22 “tilt rotor: aircraft; and leading the C-5 aircraft modernization program. This, together with the development and deployment of over twenty-five other Mobility, Training, and Special Operations Forces programs, directly preserved and enhanced the combat capability of the warfighting Combatant Commanders. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Essex reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.