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 Brigadier General James E. Whinnery, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Command Surgeon, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, from 2 October 1993 to 30 September 1996. During this period, his many outstanding contributions significantly enhanced the ability of the Air National Guard and the United States Air Force to support and achieve national goals while increasing the security of the United States. The forceful leadership and dedicated efforts of General Whinnery were significantly displayed in his strategic role on the Surgeon General’s Mirror Force team. This top leadership initiative resulted in the first ever total force effort to identify common issues, to initiate change and plan appropriate actions to mirror active duty. General Whinnery was a key architect in creating the future for more than fifty-two thousand Air Force total force health care members. His superb professional tenacity sets him apart form the ordinary as he orchestrated several initiatives which helped refine our processes to maintain maximum effectiveness in a total quality environment. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership and personal endeavor displayed by General Whinnery reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

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 Colonel James E. Whinnery, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Air Surgeon, Air National Guard, National Guard Bureau, Washington, District of Columbia, from 1 September 1991 to 1 October 1993. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence and devotion to duty of Colonel Whinnery were instrumental factors in the resolution of many complex problems of major importance to the Air National Guard and the Air Force. Colonel Whinnery established the Air National Guard’s Residency in Aerospace Medicine ensuring Air National Guard physicians can assume a senior leadership in the Air National Guard. His efforts to improve flying safety resulted in the TOP KNIFE program as well as other activities that saved countless lives and constantly improved the Air National Guard flying program. A visionary, he molded the medical assistants and advisors into a cohesive team supporting the Air National Guard and the active component. Through consummate staff and organizational skills he ensured that the restructuring of all Air Guard medical/aeromedical evacuation units effectively balanced scarce resources for the federal and state missions. Committed to realistic training, medical units participated in national exercises, overseas humanitarian missions and stateside medical readiness training exercises proving that the Air National Guard was a vital asset in national contingencies, improving relations between foreign countries, and the United States and adding value to America. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Whinnery and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.