The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Frederick Corbin Blesse (AFSN: 0-17010A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Blesse distinguished himself as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, from 12 July 1971 to 5 November 1973. In this important assignment, the forceful leadership, and the outstanding and dedicated efforts of General Blesse were significantly displayed in the furtherance of United States objectives in the Pacific Theater of Operations. His imaginative, progressive, and distinctive accomplishments were greatly responsible for the highest state of combat readiness of the Pacific Air Forces. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Blesse reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.