The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Colonel George Clifton Axtell, Jr. (MCSN: 6857), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Force Logistic Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific from 15 March to 3 October 1966 in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Accepting his assignment at the time the Command was activated, Colonel Axtell demonstrated exceptional professional skill, leadership and initiative in striving to fulfill the unit's mission of providing sustained support to all units deployed in Vietnam at that time and those which comprised the sizeable and rapid buildup which followed. With sound judgment and foresight, he organized a staff, developed internal operating procedures and established external relationships with other Marine Corps commands, the First Logistic Command, the Naval Supply Activity, the Thirtieth Naval Construction Regiment and other supply and logistic activities in the Western Pacific area, in addition to welding the former reinforced service battalions of the FIRST and THIRD Marine Divisions into the Force Logistic Command. Through his resourcefulness and skill, he successfully directed the massive efforts of activation and the complete reorganization of support units, developing the Force Logistic Command into an organization which provided supply and logistic support for all Marine Corps commands in Vietnam in a superior manner beyond that which could have been considered possible within such a short period of time. With tact and a spirit of cooperation, he developed a workable and personal relationship between the Third Marine Amphibious Forces in Vietnam, which proved to be a vital contributing factor in the improved support of Marine Corps forces in country. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development and execution of a systematic procedure for the logistical support of the Korean Marine Corps units participating in combat operations against the enemy. Despite the distribution of the Command over three distinct geographical combat locations at DaNang, Chu Lai and Hue Phu Bai, which involved formidable transportation obstacles, Colonel Axtell ensured that supplies and equipment were delivered expeditiously to combat committed elements. His development of highly sophisticated machine and computer programs resulted in a more timely, efficient and practical reporting system, and were instrumental in providing additional data processing capabilities within the Third Marine Amphibious Force. Exhibiting a unique organizational skill and management talents under difficult circumstances, he coordinated the formulation of the structure and development of the Red Beach Area designated for the Headquarters of the Force Logistics Command and Force Logistic Support Group Alpha. His dynamic leadership and keen ability to overcome major problem areas were primary factors in the improvement of supply support within the Western Pacific area. By his inspiring leadership, extraordinary professional skill and unwavering dedication to duty throughout, Colonel Axtell upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Axtell is authorized to wear the Combat "V")