Anthony Albert "Tony" Less (born August 31, 1937) was a vice admiral in the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
. He was Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet from 1991 to 1994. He is an alumnus of
Leetonia High School
Leetonia High School (LHS) is a public high school in Leetonia, Ohio, United States. It is the only high school in the Leetonia Exempted Village School District. Athletic teams compete as the Leetonia Bears in the Ohio High School Athletic Associa ...
in
Leetonia, Ohio
Leetonia is a village in northern Columbiana County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,833 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Salem micropolitan area, about south of Youngstown.
History
The Village of Leetonia was founded in 1869, f ...
and
Heidelberg University
}
Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, (german: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; la, Universitas Ruperto Carola Heidelbergensis) is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, ...
in
Tiffin, Ohio
Tiffin is a city in and the county seat of Seneca County, Ohio, United States. Developed along the Sandusky River, which flows to Lake Erie, Tiffin is about 55 miles southeast of Toledo. The population was 17,963 at the 2010 census.
After flight training, Less was designated a
naval aviator
Naval aviation is the application of military air power by navies, whether from warships that embark aircraft, or land bases.
Naval aviation is typically projected to a position nearer the target by way of an aircraft carrier. Carrier-based a ...
in June 1961. He then served with VA-43, VA-86 and VA-44 flying the
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in the early 1950s. The delta-winged, single turbojet engined Skyhawk was designed a ...
. VA-86 was deployed on the carrier based at
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk ( ) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Be ...
. Transitioning to the
A-7 Corsair
The LTV A-7 Corsair II is an American carrier-capable subsonic light attack aircraft designed and manufactured by Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV).
The A-7 was developed during the early 1960s as replacement for the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Its design was ...
, he served with VA-174, VA-105 and then VA-174 again. VA-105 was deployed on the carrier for combat operations in Southeast Asia during the
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...
.
In April 1971, Less joined
VA-12
Attack Squadron TWELVE (ATKRON TWELVE or VA-12), also known as the "Flying Ubangis" or "Clinchers", was an attack squadron of the United States Navy active during the Cold War. From their home port at Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Florida, t ...
and became executive officer. He then served as commanding officer of the squadron from June 1972 to October 1973. Less served as commanding officer of the Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron from November 1973 to January 1976. He then joined
Carrier Air Wing Nine
Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The Air Wing is currently assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The Tail Code of aircraft assigned to C ...
, serving as commander from August 1976 to December 1977.
Less served as the commanding officer of the replenishment oiler from December 1979 to July 1981 and the carrier from June 1982 to July 1983. Promoted to
rear admiral
Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star "admiral" rank. It is often regarde ...
, he was given command of Carrier Group One from August 1987 to December 1987 and Joint Task Force Middle East from January 1988 to April 1989.
His awards include the
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to the ...
,
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919 and is presented to sailors and Marines to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritoriou ...
(with gold star in lieu of second award),
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant ...
(with oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award),
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...
(with gold star in lieu of second award),
Air Medal
The Air Medal (AM) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was created in 1942 and is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Criteria
The Air Medal was establish ...
with 10 strike/flight awards, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V", joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation and Navy "E" Ribbon. In retirement he served a stint as President of the Association of Naval Aviation.