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 (Armor) Thomas Francis Lynch, III, United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as Special Assistant, J-5, Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 1998 to 2000. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel (Armor) Lynch reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.