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 (Field Artillery) Mark Edward Tillman, United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as Department Plans Chief, J-5, Plans and Policy Directorate, Central Command, from 2003 to 2005. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel (Field Artillery) Tillman reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.