Cuthbert Pattillo served as a P-51 Pilot in World War II before he was shot down over Germany and taken as a Prisoner of War on April 16, 1945. After the war he assisted in organizing the SKYBLAZERS, an Air Force aerial demonstration team in Europe. He flew combat again in Vietnam, and retired as an Air Force Major General on September 1, 1980. His identical twin brother, Charles C. Pattillo, also served in the Air Force and retired as an Air Force Lieutenant General.
Sponsored by:
Cuthbert
A.
Pattillo
, Jr.
POW (WWII)
June 3, 1924
–
February 20, 2014
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
31st Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Tuy Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
November 8, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-930 (May 10, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Pilot in the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Quan Long City, South Vietnam, on 8 November 1968. On that date, Colonel Pattillo was flying an F-100 in close air support of friendly troops in contact with a hostile force. In spite of intense, accurate ground fire and with total disregard for his own personal safety, he repeatedly pressed his attack causing devastating destruction to the hostile forces. Although his aircraft was severely damaged as a result of the hostile fire he elected to, and successfully did, land his crippled aircraft at a nearby airfield. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Pattillo has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Pattillo reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force as Director of Plans and Policy, J-5, United States Readiness Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and subsequently as Deputy Commander in Chief, from 1977 to 1980. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Pattillo culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
September 1, 1972 – May 20, 1974
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-417 (June 17, 1974)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Pattillo distinguished himself as Deputy Director and then Director of Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff/Plans and Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force from 1 September 1972 to 20 May 1974. In those important assignments, the forceful leadership and the outstanding and dedicated efforts of General Pattillo resulted in significant contributions to the combat capability of the United States Air Force and to the furtherance of national and free world objectives. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Pattillo reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
31st Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Tuy Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
October 25, 1968 – August 6, 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot at Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam from 25 October 1968 to 6 August 1969. During this period, Colonel Pattillo flew extremely hazardous missions through adverse weather conditions and through the constant threat of hostile ground fire and attack. In spite of this he superbly accomplished these highly intricate and hazardous missions in support of free world forces combating aggression. Through his personal bravery and energetic application of his knowledge and skill he significantly furthered the goal of the United States in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Pattillo reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelRegiment:
31st Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Tuy Hoa Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
October 25, 1968 – August 14, 1969
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander and Commander, 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Republic of Vietnam, from 25 October 1968 to 14 August 1969. In these important assignments, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Pattillo resulted in significant contributions to combating aggression throughout Southeast Asia. The superb programs he developed to manage his resources greatly increased the effectiveness of his wing in areas of safety, morale, and combat mission accomplishment. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Pattillo reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)Division:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
April 16, 1945 – May 2, 1945
Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on 16 April 1945, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities on 2 May 1945.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major General [then Brigadier General]Action Date:
August 15, 1969 – August 31, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General [then Brigadier General] Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans, and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, for Operations and Training, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, from 15 August 1969 to 31 August 1972. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of General Pattillo were instrumental factors in the resolution of many complex problems of major importance to the Air Force. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by General Pattillo reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)Regiment:
352d Fighter GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Mustang Pilot of the 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action over enemy-occupied Continental Europe during 135 combat missions during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
May 26, 1974 – June 10, 1977
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Pattillo distinguished himself as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Intelligence and as the Senior United States Representative at Headquarters Allied Forces Central Europe, Brunssum, The Netherlands, from 26 May 1974 to 10 June 1977. In this important assignment, General Pattillo directly supervised all activities relating to Land and Air Operations, Exercises, Plans, Intelligence, Nuclear Policy, and Communications and Electronics. The forceful leadership and the outstanding and dedicated efforts of General Pattillo were significantly displayed in the extensive improvements in combat capability of the Central European Command. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Pattillo reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Cuthbert A. Pattillo, Jr. (ASN: 0-826756), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a member of the United States Air Forces in Europe from March 1950 to July 1952. In the execution of numerous precision flights through Europe Captain Pattillo demonstrated most favorably the characteristics and capabilities of jet aircraft. As a member of the SKYBLAZERS, a precision acrobatic jet team, he exemplified the spirit of cooperative effort so essential to the accomplishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Mission. The technical skill displayed by Captain Pattillo and the personal relationships he developed with allied military personnel, governmental leaders and the general public have been of invaluable assistance in accomplishing the mission of the United States Air Forces in Europe. Through air demonstrations and instruction in the technique of precision flying Captain Pattillo has helped to increase confidence in the United States equipment and inspired a desire in other pilots of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Air Forces to attain the same high level of competency. Captain Pattillo’s conspicuous achievements reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.