Keeping with the tradition of honoring the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces during the Coca-Cola 600 pre-race festivities, Charlotte Motor Speedway will present Major Gen. Tom Sadler with the coveted Stonewall Jackson Award on Sunday, May 25.
Given annually since 1992, the Stonewall Jackson Award recognizes recipients who have demonstrated, by example, the highest standards of patriotism through personal support of the military and/or by personal service to sacrifice above the call of duty.
Born in 1925, in Canton, Ohio, Sadler entered the Army Air Corps in August 1943. A command pilot with more than 9,360 flying hours, Sadler is credited with more than 400 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Southeast Asia. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart and the Italian Solidarity Star, 1st degree. He retired from the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 1, 1983.
After four decades of military service, Sadler turned his attention to serving the needs of children as the executive director of Speedway Children’s Charities, a position he has held since 1990. The mission of Speedway Children’s Charities remains true to the ideals it was founded upon in 1982: To care for children in educational, financial, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives. Under Sadler’s leadership, Speedway Children’s Charities has raised more than $40 million for hundreds of deserving charities serving children in need across the country.
“I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Gen. Sadler for many years and I’m proud to count him as a friend,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager Marcus Smith. “His years of tireless dedication to serving his country and those in need is awe-inspiring and should serve as a reminder of the value of hard work, generous service and the impact that one person can make in the world.”
Past recipients of the Stonewall Jackson Award include Gen. Gary Luck (USA), Congressman Bill Hefner (NC), Gen. James Livingston (USMC), Gen. Dwayne Dorming (USSOC), the 82nd Airborne Division, Gen.Lloyd Newton (USA), Gen. Peter Pace, Gen. Buck Herman (USA), Gen. Henry Shelton (USA), Gen. John Handy (USAF), Gen. William B. Tonguy (USSOC), Command Sgt. Major Michael W. Williams, Brigadier Gen. Iwan B. Clontz, Col. (ret.) Walter Joseph Marm, former American Legion Post Commander Dale Punch, Purple Heart Homes co-founder Dale Beatty and last year’s winner Lt. Col. Oliver North.
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