AMC general officer receives prestigious defense award

Published Nov. 1, 2005
By U.S. Army Spec. Crystal Rothermel

KUWAIT (AMCNS) -- An Air Mobility Command general officer was recently presented the second highest peacetime defense award for his contributions to operation in Southwest Asia.

During a ceremony here Oct. 7, Maj. Gen. F. Dexter Tutor received the Defense Superior Service Medal for his exceptional service and accomplishments during his tour of active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

General Tutor, a Tennessee Air National Guard officer and Air National Guard assistant to the AMC commander, is ending his seven-month reign as the director of Central Command’s Deployment and Distribution Operations Center where he supervised strategic and operational logistics throughout the Southwest Asia theater of operation.

The general stood speechless as friends and superiors gave testimony to his accomplishments and work overseas.

“This individual came aboard, took charge, and took concepts to a level absolutely unparalleled,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Brian Geehan, U.S. Central Command director of logistics, as he presented the prestigious award. The DSSM -- the second highest peacetime defense award -- is awarded only to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have rendered superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility while assigned to a joint activity.

“The Air Force put the best person in the best location,” General Geehan said.

During his tour, General Tutor directed the shipment of up-armored trucks to Iraq and Afghanistan to support election activity in those countries. He executed large sea and air movements of trucks and supplies to troops throughout the theater and created a program that decreased the time servicemembers spend waiting to enter and leave theater. The general also initiated an airlift distribution system that moves equipment by air instead of by ground, reducing the number of servicemembers traveling on dangerous Iraqi roads.

“Every day you have saved lives,” said General Geehan as he presented the award to General Tutor.

Struck speechless, General Tutor had to pause and gather his thoughts before addressing the crowd.

“I will wear this medal proudly because the people in this room made this happen,” said General Tutor. “I have had the privilege and honor of serving in this great organization with those who will do whatever it takes.”

The camaraderie and respect between General Tutor and his audience could be seen between the silence and undivided attention given him by the servicemembers in attendance.

“We care about the warfighter,” General Tutor said. “We care about the Iraqis. And we will continue defending freedom.”

While the ceremony lasted only minutes, the general's accomplishments will have an impact within the military long after he returns home, General Geehan said.