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) John Charles Thomson, III, United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense from 2007 to 2008. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel (Field Artillery) Thomson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.