The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General [then Brigadier General] Ennis Clement Whitehead (ASN: 0-10572/A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility in the Southwest Pacific Area from 5 September 1942 to 1 October 1943. As Deputy Commander, General Whitehead ably assisted his commander in the revitalization and building up of the FIFTH Air Force, in the crucial operations which resulted in the defeat of the Japanese attempt to capture Port Moresby, and in the expulsion of the enemy from the territory of Papua. In July 1943 he was assigned the execution of the complex air operations preliminary to and accompanying the capture of Salarnaua and Lae. With brilliant judgment and inexhaustible energy, General Whitehead coordinated these operations so that the enemy air forces threatening our left flank were crushed, those on our right flank were neutralized, and the attack of allied amphibious and airborne forces was effectively protected and supported. Not once did his forces relinquish control of the air over this combat area. General Whitehead’s masterful generalship was a factor of the highest importance in Allied successes during this period. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Whitehead and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.