THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510290008
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
David L. Sutter, 51, died Oct. 27, 1995, in his residence.
Master Chief Navy Counselor (Surface Warfare/Naval Aircrew) Sutter was raised in Buffalo, N.Y., and joined the Navy on Nov. 16, 1961. After completing boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill., his first assignment was to Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Fla., as an aviation storekeeper. His next assignments were to the USS Shangri-La (CV 38), U.S. Naval Station, Kodiak Island, Alaska, Helicopter Attack (light) Squadron 3 (HAL 3), Republic of Vietnam as a combat aircraft door gunner and U.S. Naval Station Treasure Island, Calif., until his expiration of active obligated service in 1964. After returning to active duty in 1967, Master Chief Sutter served in Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC 6) as a Search and Rescue/Vertrep crewman until 1968. This was followed with tours on USS Sylvania (AFS 2), U.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, Aircraft Ferry Squadron 31 (VRF 31), Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC 2), as a search and rescue crewman, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) 32 (HSL 32) Lakehurst, N.J. In 1974 he was assigned to Naval Air Facility, Sigonella Sicily, Italy and served as AIMD IMRL Control Officer. In 1977 he reported to Navy Recruiting District, Buffalo, N.Y. He was assigned as the recruiter in charge Navy Recruiting Station, Depew, N.Y. After a successful tour and having gained many recruiting awards, Master Chief Sutter requested and was granted conversion to the new Navy counselor rating. Upon completion of Navy Counselor school, Master Chief Sutter was assigned at the USS STUMP (DD 978) as the command career counselor from November 1980 until October 1982, which included UNITAS XXII the South American deployment. During this period USS STUMP was awarded the Gold Anchor Award for excellence in retention. In 1982 he was assigned to USS JOSEPHUS DANIELS (CG 27). After another successful tour, Master Chief Sutter was assigned to Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va., as NAVPHIBASE Little Creek, command career counselor. During his tour NAVPHIBASE garnered the CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for outstanding retention. In 1987 he was assigned to USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC 20), commander second fleet, Striking, Fleet Atlantic Command ship. During his tour he received many plaudits including a letter of commendation from commander second fleet for his knowledge and expertise as flagship helicopter control officer. In 1991 Master Chief Sutter assumed the duties as command master chief of Navy Recruiting District, Richmond, the first fleet command master chief ever assigned to a Navy Recruiting Command. In February 1994, Master Chief Sutter transferred to Assault Craft Unit 4 (ACU 4), Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek. Master Chief Sutter retired from the U.S. Navy March 1 of this year after 33 and half years of active duty. His awards include the Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Gold Star), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star), Combat Action Ribbon and numerous campaign and service awards.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Rae-Ann Sutter; two sons, John P. Sutter of Chicago, Ill., Mark D. Sutter of Buffalo; two sisters, Patricia Rodgers and Cathy Sciarrino, both of Eden, N.Y.; two brothers, Ronald Canfield of Gowanda, N.Y., Gerald Sutter of Buffalo.
A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Naval Amphibious Base Chapel, Little Creek, by Chaplain Anne Krekelberg. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, Hampton Roads Auxiliary, 7920 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, 23505. Altmeyer Funeral Home in charge.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB