The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)) John Pat Vollmer (ASN: 0-59284), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period of September 1966 to April 1967 while serving as Operations Staff Officer, Revolutionary Support Directorate, Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. During this period Colonel Vollmer became deeply involved in the Revolutionary Development program in the Republic of Vietnam. Charged with challenging evaluative tasks of prime significance, Colonel Vollmer’s trenchant, incisive reports were of immense value to the continuing success of the program. Faced with a need to evaluate Revolutionary Development progress at the hamlet level, he responded with utmost dispatch and thoroughness, and a functional Hamlet Evaluation System was implemented ahead of schedule. Colonel Vollmer’s outstanding organizational abilities and deft, innovative administrative talents were constantly called upon to provide continuity to this nation-building program. Struck by the diversity of relationships present in the endeavor and the vital necessity of expeditious handling of data generated by a large number of sources, Colonel Vollmer personally developed and recommended establishment of a Revolutionary Development Support Center which has significantly improved the organization posture of the program. Colonel Vollmer’s untiring efforts to improve the administrative and functional aspects of the Revolutionary Development Program and his outstanding competence and rare talent in formulating timely, perceptive answer to problems, have contributed fundamentally to the smooth, orderly progress of Revolutionary Development in the Republic of Vietnam. Colonel Vollmer’s professional competence and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)) John Pat Vollmer (ASN: 0-59284), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period May 1967 to April 1968 while serving successively as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, then as Programs Operations Analyst, Plans and Programs Division, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development, Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. As Battalion Commander, Colonel Vollmer molded his battalion into a spirited fighting team that consistently proved superior to the North Vietnamese Army forces operating in the rugged central highlands region. His superb leadership technique, involving personal contact with his officers and men, particularly during combat, was a vital factor in the 3d Battalion’s unerring success under conditions of harsh climate, hostile terrain, and a determined enemy. As Programs Operations Analyst, Colonel Vollmer was instrumental in the designing of key pacification sub-programs for the new Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support management system. He demonstrated outstanding analytical ability and diplomatic skills in the collection and coordination of the professional and technical data needed to formulate the total, integrated Pacification Program for 1968. Lieutenant Colonel Vollmer’s professional competence and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)) John Pat Vollmer (ASN: 0-59284), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with duties performed in the service of Director of Manpower and Forces, Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development and as Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army from July 1969 to November 1971. As a force planner, he consistently demonstrated an exceptional degree of knowledge, judgment, and imaginative and innovative effort. Specifically, he developed a competent staff element, and expanded the Force Accounting System to meet its major role in the New Department of Defense Planning, Programming and Budgeting System. Especially noteworthy were his accomplishments with respect to force creation and selection, improved procedures, increased data accuracy, and overall system development. These improvements have greatly assisted Department of the Army Staff agencies in the management of Army resources. As Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army, Colonel Vollmer made significant contributions to new management initiatives and improvements in such areas as automatic data processing, reserve components and weapon systems acquisition. Among his accomplishments in these areas was the introduction of methodology for new cost effectiveness measurement techniques for the evaluation of management information systems. He was also instrumental in the initiation of new management techniques concerning the reserve components and cost reduction methodologies relating to the weapon system acquisition. These significant actions were of particular assistance to the Under Secretary of the Army in the formulation of long-range objectives and maximizing the use of dwindling resources. Colonel Vollmer has also played an important role in organizing and coordinating the variety of activities monitored by the office of the Under Secretary of the Army. His outstanding ability to identify key problems and isolate essentials preliminary to critical decisions has greatly enhanced the overall functioning of the office. Colonel Vollmer’s outstanding performance of duty is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) John Pat Vollmer (ASN: 0-59284), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 4th Advanced Individual Training Brigade (Combat Support), U.S. Army Training Center, Infantry and Fort Polk, Fort Polk, Louisiana, from December 1971 to May 1973. During this period, he consistently demonstrated exemplary efficiency, outstanding leadership, and diligent professionalism in accomplishing his diverse responsibilities. through his personal initiative, resourcefulness, and professional competence, he made significant improvements in the operational procedures and generated programs which greatly improved living and training facilities. Displaying resourceful management, personal zeal, and dedication to duty, he developed a brigade which achieved and maintained a high aptitude for training combat support soldiers and exceptionally high standards of personal conduct and professionalism during extremely difficult periods. Colonel Vollmer’s distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the most cherished traditions of the military services and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the United States Army.