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Thomas
Lee
Sutton
June 12, 1939

–

Home:

Marion

, 

Indiana

Thomas Sutton graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1961. He retired in 1988 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    21st Tactical Air Support Squadron

    Division:

    Ban Me Thout Air Base, South Vietnam

    Action Date:

    August 23, 1968
    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-485 (February 7, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Thomas Lee Sutton (AFSN: FR-62765), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as a Forward Air Controller, 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Ban Me Thout Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Duc Lap, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 August 1968. On that date, four small government outposts in the vicinity of Duc Lap were attacked by a hostile Infantry Division and were in danger of being completely overrun. With determination, precision, and courage, Captain Sutton directed highly effective tactical air support missions through intense ground fire and in marginal weather conditions, successfully relieving two of the small outposts from impending destruction and thereby saving many friendly lives. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Sutton has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    21st Tactical Air Support Squadron

    Division:

    Ban Me Thout Air Base, South Vietnam

    Action Date:

    March 13, 1968
    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1844 (June 24, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Thomas Lee Sutton (AFSN: FR-62765), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Ban Me Thout Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Ban Me Thout, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 March 1968. On that date, Captain Sutton flew in support of an imperiled ground unit which had been attacked by a numerically superior belligerent force. Braving intense automatic weapons fire, he skillfully directed the delivery of ordnance from combat support aircraft to within one hundred meters of the friendly positions thereby successfully averting an attempt by the unfriendly forces to overrun the trapped unit. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Sutton reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    21st Tactical Air Support Squadron

    Division:

    Ban Me Thout Air Base, South Vietnam

    Action Date:

    August 27, 1968
    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-695 (February 20, 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 Captain Thomas Lee Sutton (AFSN: FR-62765), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Ban Me Thout Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Duc Lap, Republic of Vietnam, on 27 August 1968. On that date Captain Sutton flew in support of a variety of operations near the embattled friendly positions at Duc Lap, directing the airborne insertion of reinforcements, friendly artillery fire, re-supply air drops, and tactical air support missions with outstanding precision and skill. Disregarding his personal safety repeatedly in the face of grave danger from heavy ground fire, he was instrumental in successfully reinforcing two beleaguered outposts and destroying several hostile firing positions. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Sutton reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    June 29, 1985 – August 31, 1988

    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 Colonel Thomas Lee Sutton (AFSN: FR-62765), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 316th Tactical Airlift Group, and Special Assistant for Airlift, FIFTH Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan, from 29 June 1985 to 31 August 1988. During this period, his dynamic leadership in managing more than a quarter of a billion dollars worth of aircraft, facilities, vehicles, and equipment has enhanced staff operations and furthered community relations programs. As a result, the 316th Tactical Airlift Group has garnered a multitude of top inspection ratings, awards, and diplomatic accolades. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Sutton culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.