Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Michael Kevin Connell, United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as J-5, Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint Staff, in 1999. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel (Infantry) Connell reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.