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 Paul Kendall Carlton, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Carlton distinguished himself as Commander, 59th Medical Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and Lead Agent, TRICARE Region VI, San Antonio, Texas, from 26 September 1994 to 24 May 1999. During this period, his outstanding leadership, vision, integrity, courage and commitment to the Air Force mission and Military Health Systems pushed the Wing to the forefront of Air Force medicine. His improvement of ambulatory services, outreach initiatives, and response to military reductions had positive impact throughout the Air Force Medical Service. His liaison work creating a regional trauma consortium had a lasting effect throughout the Department of Defense. He skillfully guided implementation of TRICARE Senior Prime throughout the San Antonio and Texoma areas. He was a key leader in the genesis, development, and deployment of modular medical readiness capabilities culminating the in the implementation of the Critical Care Air Transport Teams and the Mobile Field Surgical Teams–each a key component of the Air force Global Engagement mission. He was the architect of the strategic planning process, which laid the foundation for implementing the medical center’s rightsizing, and readiness initiatives. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carlton reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Airman’s Medal
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Paul Kendall Carlton, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carlton and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country 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:
Lieutenant GeneralDivision:
Surgeon GeneralAction Date:
December 1, 1999 – November 30, 2002
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 Lieutenant General Paul Kendall Carlton, Jr., United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Carlton distinguished himself as Surgeon General, United States Air Force, from 1 December 1999 to 30 November 2002. During this period, General Carlton’s outstanding achievements and his dynamic leadership led to the re-definement of the Air Force Medical Service through a tripartite medical readiness mission, to shape the world medical environment through coalitions, respond to humanitarian and disaster situations, and be prepared to support the war fighting mission of the Air Force. General Carlton’s vision of medical response extended beyond the United States and the Air Force at large. To that end, General Carlton has been the driving force behind many initiatives. The creation of the International Health Specialist career field brings together cultural, language, and medical expertise, providing regional commanders with a unique diplomatic asset. In this capacity, medics assume a non-threatening role as the tip of the spear–the first engagers–for opening dialogue with other nations. The medical service must also have the ability to respond quickly to disaster situations, natural or man-made, anywhere in the world. With General Carlton’s vision and leadership, the medical service has developed the doctrine, concept of operations, and equipment to rapidly deploy as first responders and meet any contingency requirement. Using a targeted, building-block approach, personnel with backpacks or a small portable trailer can be launched within hours. The new construct of medical response faced its first big test during the 11 September 2001 attacks on New York and the Pentagon. A rapid response team was at the Pentagon within three hours providing patient care and supporting first responders. Within twenty-four hours of the attacks, over five hundred personnel with full inpatient capability were on the ground at McGuire Air force Base, New Jersey, standing ready to support New York. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carlton culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Paul Kendall Carlton, Jr., United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Carlton and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Airman’s Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
September 11, 2001
U.S. Air Force Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 2, 1926 (as amended July 6, 1960), takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Lieutenant General Paul Kendall Carlton, Jr., United States Air Force, for heroism at the risk of life, at the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, on 11 September 2001. On that date, an American Airlines 757 with 67 passengers originating at Dulles Airport crashed into the Pentagon near the heliport. The approximate number of casualties at point of impact was 190. General Carlton was in the Pentagon at the time of the crash. Knowing that there would be numerous casualties, he proceeded to Corridor 4, C Ring. General Carlton entered a room filled with chest high debris. Although half the room was engulfed in flames and smoke filled, General Carlton and several other rescuers located a trapped victim who was stuck under some fallen debris. The men could see the trapped victim, but could not quite reach the man. One of the rescuers cleared the debris while General Carlton tried to pull the victim free. He then placed a water-soaked tee shirt on the victim’s face to aid his breathing. The victim was roused, and realizing the imminent danger they were all facing, rolled to his left far enough for General Carlton to grab him. They were then able to move the victim to safety. All the while, the room continued to rain fire and debris on General Carlton and the others. As the fire intensified and moved closer n the room, General Carlton continued to sweep the room for other victims. There was a loud noise, the flaming ceiling began to fall and one of the rescuers shouted for all to leave the area. As the metal caging in the ceiling gave way, General Carlton helped the others to escape the burning room. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by General Carlton reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.