A 1999 West Point Society of the District of Columbia Distinguished Member Award is presented to Brigadier General Michael J. L. Greene, USA (Ret.) for his exemplary service to West Point, the West Point Society of the District of Columbia and to the community. General Greene has exemplified the motto "Duty, Honor, Country" through distinguished and selfless service during the period 1971 to the present time while serving in multiple commendable activities relating to his class, to West Point, and to the community after retirement.

General Greene has devoted much of his time and effort to West Point and to his West Point Class. As class president, he initiated the idea, stimulated class support of , and gained Academy authorization for the Nininger Hall Honor Committee Room in the old 1st Division of Cadet Barracks. Later, he directed the design and mounting of a plaque memorializing classmates killed-in-action during World War II, on the Jobes-Kelleher Memorial Arch at the north entrance to Flirtation Walk.

For a period of nearly ten years he served as the first Executive Director of the West Point Society of the District of Columbia, increasing its membership, improving its record keeping, and expanding and raising the level of its activities in recruiting nationally recognized speakers to address the Society's members; and in recruiting potential candidates for admission to West Point. The Society grew and flourished through his management prowess.

General Greene is the grandson of two USMA graduates, the son and son-in-law of two graduates, the brother of two graduates, the father-in-law of two graduates, and the grandfather of a graduate. His background inspired him to volunteer, in 1988, to take the position as chairman of the USMA Class Centennials Permanent Committee. This committee searches for descendants and other relatives of USMA graduates of one hundred years earlier, organizes a Centennial Day at West Point each April, invites the descendants and relatives to participate in a series of events to mark the one hundredth anniversary. In addition to his interest in USMA, his sense of the importance of U.S. history and personages has enabled him to serve with distinction in several patriotic-historical organizations. He was president of the George Washington Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution for two years, Deputy Governor then Governor of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the District of Columbia, presently Deputy Governor General of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and recently elected as Commander of the local chapter of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He has recently been elected to chair the National Society Sons of the American Revolution Washington Bicentennial 1999 Committee.

General Greene's boundless energy and interests brought him further to positions of responsibility in serving the military and civilian community. For six years, he was Executive Director of Knollwood, making significant contributions to more efficient management, financial support, and expansion. In addition to his engagement in these many prominent activities, General Greene has devoted much time and energy in support of his local community. He has served six years as president of his local citizen's association; as a driver for the American Cancer Society's "Drive for Life" program for twenty years in which he drove cancer patients from their homes to treatment centers; as Vice Director and Director of the Council of the Little Theatre of Alexandria, VA and as a member of the Parish Council of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA.

For all of these activities for the benefit of West Point, his class, and the community, while displaying outstanding qualities of character, distinguished service and stature which clearly symbolizes the ideals of West Point, it is fitting that the West Point Society of the District of Columbia award Brigadier General Michael J. L. Greene, USA (Ret.), USMA Class of 1941, the Distinguished Member Award.