"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Samuel Vaughn Wilson (ASN: 0-36566), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States in positions of great responsibility and trust from April 1973 to August 1977, serving successively as Deputy Director for Estimates, Deputy Director for Attache Affairs, Deputy to the Director; and Director, Defense Intelligence Agency. During this period, which represents the capstone of an illustrious and distinguished military career, spanning more than 36 years of active service, Lieutenant General Wilson exemplified professional capabilities and personal traits of leadership, initiative, and integrity essential for maximum contribution to the security of the United States. By his superb leadership of this large and complex joint organization of 4,400 military and civilian persons, worldwide, he steered the Agency through some of its most difficult times since its establishment in 1961. His assessments and evaluations in Strategic Arms Limitation, Mutual Balanced Force Reductions in Europe, Panama Canal Treaty negotiations, Soviet threat in the third world, impact of the US force reductions in South Korea, and the prospects for peace in the Middle East assisted the President and Secretary of Defense in making critical decisions. His initiative led to greatly improved intelligence support of contingency planning by the unified and specified commands and their service components. His professionalism, resourcefulness, and leadership in international events and crises contributed significantly to the preservation of national security. His superior performance of duty as Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, culminates a distinguished and heroic service as soldier, leader, and statesman and reflects the highest credit upon him, the Department of Defense, and the United States Army."