The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to General Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Carns distinguished himself as Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, from 16 May 1991 to 30 June 1994. In this important assignment, General Carns provided great inspiration and insightful leadership to the Air Force during a period of turbulence and challenge. His masterful articulation of the Air Force’s commitment to excellence positively impacted on people within the military, significantly enhanced the United States Air Force’s ability to project air power, and ensured the security, visibility, and warfighting capabilities of our forces well into the twenty-first century. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carns culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to General Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of General Carns reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
June 1987 – September 1989
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant 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. General Carnes distinguished himself by exceptional service as Deputy Commander in Chief/Chief of Staff and Inspector General, Headquarters, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command, from June 1987 to September 1989. General Carns provided dynamic leadership, insightful analyses, and dedicated, outstanding performance, significantly strengthening the warfighting capability of the largest geographical unified command in the United States across a broad range of activities pertaining to national security and international relations in the Pacific theater. His perceptive understanding of command relations and joint staff interaction facilitated the establishment of two new subordinate unified commands and two special mission joint task forces in connection with national and regional developments, to include hostilities in the Persian Gulf. He directed and coordinated changes that reoriented exercise evaluations and investigations to surface and rapidly correct misalignments in policies, procedures, and strategies. As the senior military officer on the United States-Philippines Military Bases Agreement Review panel, his sound judgment, clear perspective on the historical interplay of bilateral relations, and attentive responsiveness to fluid negotiating positions contributed immensely to the successful conclusion of the review and set the stage for subsequent renegotiation of the Military Bases Agreement upon its pending expiration. His uncommon devotion to duty, unerring grasp of essentials, innovative leadership, and undeviating loyalty enhanced the readiness and capabilities of forces throughout the United States Pacific Command. The distinctive accomplishments of General Carns reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
GeneralDivision:
The Joint StaffAction Date:
September 1989 – May 1991
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.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
July 20, 1984 – June 1, 1987
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-528 (June 19, 1987)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Intelligence, during the period from 20 July 1984 to 1 June 1987. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carns reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 General Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carns and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
469th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 14, 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an F-4E Phantom in the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia on 14 May 1969. On that evening Captain Carns led a flight of two Phantoms directed to seek out and destroy a 7th Air Force designated anti-aircraft high threat area. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Carns repeatedly attacked hostile gun emplacements, while himself under a heavy barrage of hostile fire, destroying two gun emplacements, obtaining four huge secondary explosions and setting ten medium sustained fires plus one large sustained fire. Using his ordnance to the maximum possible effect, Captain Carns greatly added to his own danger but rendered losses to the hostile forces which otherwise would not have been possible. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Carns has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
469th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Korat Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-4E Phantom in the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia in 1969. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carns reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to General Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carns and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 General Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carns and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to General Michael Patrick Chamberlain Carns, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carns and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.