General Carlton will forever be remembered by AMC, the Air Force, and the nation as a great Airman, warrior and leader. He was the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart. 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 assumed command of MAC in September 1972 and served in that capacity until he retired in 1977.

Lemay, the SAC commander, and then went on to hold several key positions at SAC's headquarters, numbered air forces and wings.

Thereafter, General Carlton was assigned as aide-de-camp to General Curtis E. 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. His first assignment was as an instructor for the B-17 Flying Fortress. General Carlton, born Apin Manchester, N.H., received his pilot wings and commission from the Army Air Corps aviation cadet program in April 1942. Schilling Award and a special Humanitarian Award from Milwaukee's Trans-Aire '75 Exposition for MAC's many humanitarian achievements. Foulois Flying Safety Trophy the 19 Harmon International Trophy the 1974 Makay Trophy the 1974 David C. 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.Īs a result of the command's accomplishments during General Carlton's reign as commander, MAC received numerous awards including the 1972 Benjamin D. '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. General Carlton was commander of MAC from Sept. 23 at the age of 89 in San Antonio, Texas. Carlton, former commander of the Military Airlift Command, passed away Nov.

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