The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Director, The Joint Staff, from September 1989 to May 1991. During this period of international crisis and unprecedented global change, General Carns led the Joint Staff reaching a superior level of responsiveness and meeting national needs by providing rapid and effective solutions to a multitude of dynamic problems involving critical national security interests. Throughout Operations JUST CAUSE, DESERT SHIELD, and DESERT STORM, he displayed the leadership, vision, wisdom, and perseverance required to surmount obstacles of extreme difficulty in successfully accomplishing missions with skill and aplomb. His unique leadership molded the Joint Staff into a force multiplier which provided the Chairman, other members of the Joint Staff, and the Secretary of Defense with superlative support. Particularly preeminent was his personal role in assisting the Chairman as he developed sound military advice for National Command Authorities. The distinctive accomplishments of General Carns reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.