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 Colonel Clarence Edmond Olschner, III, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Air Employment Studies, United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from 12 August 1992 to 30 June 1996. In this important assignment, Colonel Olschner revised and expanded the military strategy, planning, and operations portion of the Army War College curriculum to reflect the importance of air operations and the global role of the United States Air Force in joint and combined operations. As a result, the core curriculum became significantly more relevant and meaningful for the senior military officers and civilians attending the resident course each year. He infused air power theory and employment into the Advancing Warfighting Studies Program case study analyses, and led the effort to incorporate the Air Force’s automated Campaign Planning Tool into the Theater Strategy and Campaign Planning advanced course, thus providing tomorrow’s leaders with the intellectual background to efficiently plan and effectively conduct air operations in support of a theater commander’s concept of operations. As one of the most highly qualified, respected, and productive members of a distinguished faculty, Colonel Olschner was awarded the Army War College’s General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chair of Aerospace Studies. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Olschner culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and 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, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Clarence Edmond Olschner, III, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 467th Tactical Missile Wing, Comiso Air Station, Italy, from 20 August 1989 to 27 May 1991. During this period, his exemplary leadership made a significant contribution to the effective deterrence provided to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization by the Ground Launched Cruise Missile mission and to the successful execution of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Force Treaty. He set standards for wing combat readiness then motivated and trained the wing to achieve them. The results on the Tactical Evaluation were a record-setting generator time, an overall “Excellent” rating for the Readiness Phase, and flawless missile simulator evaluations — the best ever achieved by a Ground Launched Cruise Missile wing. Tough training with emphasis on surviving and operating in a chemical environment also had the wing well prepared when over 150 personnel were tasked to deploy in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and STORM. Colonel Olschner’s decisions and direction of the withdrawal of United States Air Force resources from Comiso Air Station resulted in a wing drawdown that has proceeded ahead of schedule at less than the programmed cost in money and manpower. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Olschner reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.