The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Glenn T. Starnes, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while serving as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Operations, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from August 2004 through September 2005. In this position of considerable responsibility, Colonel Starnes forged an operations section capable of accomplishing the myriad of complex tasks required for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 04-06. From the development of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward’s) campaign plan to the deployment and employment of more than 30,000 troops in combat operations, Colonel Starnes foresaw and met every operational challenge with skill, insight, innovation, and attention to detail. His adroit planning skills and operational insights led to the creation of Operation SHAROOQ, the overarching operational plan that set the conditions for all subsequent combat operations and efforts to conduct successful elections for the Iraqi people. Additionally, his innovation and practical insights contributed directly to the successful partnering of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) with two Iraqi Army Divisions to include training, equipping, and employing them in combat operations. Throughout his tour, he demonstrated an enormous grasp of the requirements for executing combat operations and the charismatic leadership to operate at the operational level of war. Colonel Starnes’ dynamic direction, keen judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.