Former MAC commander remembered

  • Published
  • By Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Gen. Paul K. Carlton, former commander of the Military Airlift Command, passed away Nov. 23 at the age of 89 in San Antonio, Texas. General Carlton was commander of MAC from Sept. 26, 1972, to March 31, 1977.

"General Carlton's accomplishments as a commander will be remembered and honored; he embodied the core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence," said Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Air Mobility Command commander.

Under General Carlton's leadership, MAC -- the former Air Force command responsible for all airlift operations -- played an integral role in the success of many high-profile missions including the Southeast Asia prisoner of war release, Operation HOMECOMING; the airlift to Israel, Operation NICKEL GRASS; the consolidation of strategic and tactical airlift assets; and many humanitarian operations, including the airlift of Vietnamese and Cambodian orphans to their new homes in the United States and the massive evacuation of Vietnamese refugees.

As a result of the command's accomplishments during General Carlton's reign as commander, MAC received numerous awards including the 1972 Benjamin D. Foulois Flying Safety Trophy; the 1973 and 1974 Harmon International Trophy; the 1974 Makay Trophy; the 1974 David C. Schilling Award; and a special Humanitarian Award from Milwaukee's Trans-Aire '75 Exposition for MAC's many humanitarian achievements.

General Carlton, born April 14, 1921 in Manchester, N.H., received his pilot wings and commission from the Army Air Corps aviation cadet program in April 1942. His first assignment was as an instructor for the B-17 Flying Fortress. Following World War II, he served with the Strategic Air Command's first atomic bomb organization, the 509th Bombardment Wing at Roswell Air Force Base, N.M. Thereafter, General Carlton was assigned as aide-de-camp to General Curtis E. Lemay, the SAC commander, and then went on to hold several key positions at SAC's headquarters, numbered air forces and wings. He assumed command of MAC in September 1972 and served in that capacity until he retired in 1977.

General Carlton was a command pilot with more than 12,000 flying hours in the B-47, B-52, B-58, KC-135, C-141, C-5 and the Mach 3, plus SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft. He was the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart.

General Carlton will forever be remembered by AMC, the Air Force, and the nation as a great Airman, warrior and leader. His extraordinary legacy will continue to live on for years to come.