Alton D. Slay
General Alton Davis Slay, Sr. (November 11, 1924 – November 16, 2015) was a four star United States Air Force general and former commander, Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.
Alton D. Slay | |
|---|---|
 General Alton D. Slay | |
| Born | November 11, 1924 Crystal Springs, Mississippi |
| Died | November 16, 2015 (aged 91) Warrenton, Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1944–1981 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Air Force Systems Command |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Slay was a native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi.[1] He was a command pilot with more than 8,000 flying hours, principally in single-engine and jet fighter aircraft, accumulated since his graduation from flying school at Craig Field, Alabama, in 1944. He flew 181 combat missions over Southeast Asia in jet fighters. He was a graduate of the Navy Parachutist School and wore the Senior Air Force Parachutist Badge and the Senior Missileman Badge.
Slay was a 1965 graduate of George Washington University at Washington, D.C., with a degree in mathematics; he attended the six-week Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program; and the Canadian National Defence College.
His assignments included deputy chief of staff, research and development, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., vice commander of the Air Training Command, San Antonio, Texas; commander of the Lowry Technical Training Command, Denver; deputy chief of staff, operations, Seventh Air Force, in Southeast Asia; director of operations, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; deputy chief of staff, operations, Air Force Systems Command; commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California; and assistant deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, U.S. Air Forces in Europe. He assumed command of Systems Command in March 1978, and was promoted to four star rank on April 1, 1978. Slay retired from the Air Force on January 31, 1981.
Awards and decorations
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US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
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Senior Missile Maintenance Badge |
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Senior Parachutist Badge |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters |
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Soldier's Medal |
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Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters |
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Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Army Commendation Medal |
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
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Combat Readiness Medal |
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Army Good Conduct Medal |
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American Campaign Medal |
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World War II Victory Medal |
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National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |
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Korean Service Medal |
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Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars |
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Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Order, 1st class (Vietnam) |
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Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm |
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Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st class |
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United Nations Korea Medal |
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Vietnam Campaign Medal |
In 2005, Slay won four gold medals at the National Senior Games in cycling.[2] As of 2007, at age 83, he was still competing in the Senior Games cycling events.[3] He resided in Warrenton, Virginia until he died of blood cancer on November 16, 2015, 5 days after his 91st birthday.[4]
References
- Colonial Cable August 2005 George Washington University alumni newsletter
- National Senior Games roster 2007
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
