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 Donald Andrew Sutton, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Co-Pilot of an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam, on 20 January 1972. On that date, Captain Sutton flew an emergency medical evacuation mission involving four seriously injured United States Army personnel, the victims of hostile ground fire, which had downed their aircraft. Flying at night over hostile territory, Captain Sutton was directly responsible for saving the lives of these four individuals. 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.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
April 3, 1972
Headquarters, Pacific Air Force, Special Order GB-2147 (August 31, 1972)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 Donald Andrew Sutton, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53 Aircraft Commander of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam, on 3 April 1972. On that date he was Co-Pilot on an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter and attempted to rescue the survivor of a United States aircraft downed in the area. His aircraft suffered severe battle damage from intense enemy fire and only professional skill of the highest order averted a potential disaster. 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
May 1, 1972
Headquarters, Pacific Air Force, Special Order GB-0143 (November 29, 1972)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 Donald Andrew Sutton, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action at Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam, on 1 May 1972. On that date, while serving as Aircraft Commander of an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter, Captain Sutton participated in the successful rescue of one hundred twenty-nine American and Vietnamese Army personnel from the surrounded and besieged Citadel at Quang Tri. 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.