Governor presents prestigious Medal of Merit to Air Force, civil rights pioneer

Governor presents prestigious Medal of Merit to Air Force, civil rights pioneer

NOVEMBER 13, 2008, JACKSONVILLE – Governor Charlie Crist, recognizing the sacrifices and service of Florida’s more than 1.7 million military veterans, presented the Governor’s Medal of Merit to Air Force veteran and civil rights pioneer retired Lt. Colonel Alton Yates. The Medal of Merit is the highest military honor the Governor can give, and it is reserved for Florida military servicemen and women who have given exceptional service while on active duty.

"Lt. Colonel Yates is a true public servant, and his sacrifice and dedication to our nation and his community have helped ensure the freedom and equality of all Americans," said Governor Crist. "As the nation prepares to honor our many military veterans on Veterans’ Day, it is important that we recognize this extraordinary Florida veteran."

Lt. Colonel Yates, 72, of Jacksonville, served as an Airman in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1959. During that time, he volunteered for the Rocket Sled Testing Program at Hollomon Air Force Base in New Mexico. The pioneering space flight program was aimed at testing man’s ability to endure "G" forces during shuttle liftoff, re-entry and recovery. Lt. Colonel Yates rode the rocket sled dubbed "Big Bopper" a record 65 times, accelerating to more than 400 mph within just a few seconds before coming to a sudden stop. He also ascended to more than 65,000 feet in balloons testing pressure suits for astronauts. On one test run, his equipment malfunctioned and Lt. Colonel Yates passed out before parachuting back to Earth using experimental equipment.

"Lt. Colonel Yates is as close to a true American hero as I have met," said Major General Douglas Burnett, Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard. "He was a pioneer in the early days of our nation’s space effort, risking his life countless times while testing the rocket sleds used in space flight research. He also acted bravely and courageously in the civil rights struggle in his community for many years. He is very deserving of this honor."

After leaving active duty in the Air Force in 1959, Lt. Colonel Yates returned home to Jacksonville and became a leader in the civil rights movement there, joining demonstrations inside restaurants and drug stores in an attempt to end racial divisions. He also helped encourage racial diversity and equality in the military while serving from 1981 to 1996 in the Florida Air National Guard, where he worked as an Equal Opportunity Officer in the Florida Guard’s St. Augustine headquarters.

During this time, and following his 1996 retirement from the Guard, Lt. Colonel Yates also remained an active civic leader in Jacksonville. He served as Aide to the Mayor under five administrations and was executive director of the city’s Community Relations Commission. He also served on Leadership Florida, Leadership Jacksonville, and was a board member of Florida Community College. His wife, Gwen Yates, was a Jacksonville City Council member.