Donald Shields Sullenberger

1940 - 2020

Donald Shields Sullenberger

Donald Shields Sullenberger (Colonel, United States Air Force, Retired) died December 11, 2020 at Katy, Texas. Born September 30, 1940 in Knoxville TN, to the late Archibald Jack Sullenberger and Rebecca Pauline (Myers) Sullenberger. He graduated from Kokomo (IN) High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1959, becoming a "mustang" commissioned USAF Regular Officer in 1962. During his military career Colonel Sullenberger served his country worldwide in a wide spectrum of duties and assignments including Command Pilot; Navigator-Bombardier; tactical and strategic Air Operations Officer; senior command staff officer; and as senior commander and commanding officer of aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missile operations, maintenance, training, and other large military units/organizations. He served as a pilot during the Vietnam War in 1971 and 1972, flying 191 combat missions in F-4 D/E aircraft in air operations over North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. After the Vietnam War he flew fighter aircraft until near his military retirement in 1988. He flew over 4,500 hours in A-10, F-4, T-38, B-52, AT-38, and other aircraft. He was the recipient of numerous military and civilian honors, recognitions, and awards. Military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, 10 Air Medals, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Palm, the Presidential Unit Citation For Extraordinary Heroism, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, 3 USAF Outstanding Unit (Valor) awards, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Readiness Medal, and several others. Retiring from the USAF in 1988 he immediately began civilian employment as Senior Program Manager and Division Director with a major Department of Defense (DoD) world-wide services contractor corporation. In 1991 he became a Vice President and Company Officer of the corporation, retiring in 1995 to establish a private DoD contractor consultant/management business - permanently retiring in 2006. Colonel Sullenberger's formal education included: Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Organizational Development, and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management. Colonel Sullenberger attended the USAF Command and Staff College, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He belonged to and participated in numerous and diverse civic, youth, military, veterans, professional, charitable, and business organizations. Colonel Sullenberger is survived by his beloved high school sweetheart and wife, Karen Sue (Long) Sullenberger, having lived 59 wonderful years of marriage and life experiences together. They have three sons Douglas Joel Sullenberger, Robert Lynn Sullenberger (deceased), and Erik Brandt Sullenberger. A future memorial service with full military honors will be held at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville, TN (date pending).

Colonel Sullenberger will be missed by all. Rest in peace "Sully".

The Fighter Pilot

"Say what you will about him; arrogant, cocky, boisterous and a fun loving fool to boot - he has earned his place in the sun. So here's a "nickel on the grass" to you my friends, for your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice, and courage, but most of all for your friendship. Yours is a dying breed and when you are gone the world will be a lesser place."

"Friar Tuck"

Circa: Vietnam War