Saputo awarded DAR Medal of Honor

LAKEWOOD RANCH — In Sarasota and Manatee counties, Col. John Saputo’s name is synonymous with two things: beer and patriotism.

And although the two don’t necessarily go hand in hand, Saputo has made both his business.

Saputo, owner of Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, served more than 32 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves. His military background provides the framework for Gold Coast’s growth from securing 53% marketshare to about 68.5%. And his employees — 38% of whom are military veterans — carry his mission forward.

The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution will honor Saputo’s military service, philanthropic efforts, character and commitment to his country and to supporting veterans May 1. At the Laurel Oak Country Club in Sarasota, Saputo will be awarded the organization’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor.

Since the creation of the Medal of Honor in 1972, the DAR has awarded only 1,555 medals across its 3,000 U.S. and 26 overseas chapters. DAR awarded only 10 medals of honor in 2013, and has only awarded two in 2014, to date.

Former recipients include broadcaster Tom Brokaw, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and 2000 Miss America Heather French, whose platform was veteran services.

“This award is extremely important and is, I would say, validation that my 32 1/2-year affiliation with the U.S. Marine Corps was worth the sacrifice that I put myself and my family through,” Saputo said. “For the DAR to honor me, they are also honoring my wife and my four daughters.”

Mary Lou McFate, honorary regent of the Sara DeSoto Chapter of DAR, spent three months assembling Saputo’s nomination for the award. Its 75 pages included four required essays on how Saputo demonstrates key character traits of leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism — the traits on which the award is based.

“The recipient has to have done something unusual and lasting — contributions to American heritage by truly giving of his or herself, and in Col. Saputo’s case, the world,” she said. “He’s been involved in securing peace. He has impacted the lives of people in the United States. One-third of his 165 employees are veterans. He has contributed every year to more than 600 charities and events.”

At the DAR ceremony, Saputo also will be awarded the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Seven Seals award.

Saputo was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marines in 1972, and was on his way to combat in Vietnam when President Richard Nixon signed the Paris Peace Accords. He served three years in active duty before serving in the Marine Corps Reserves for about 29 years. During that time, he worked on intelligence projects and he saw active combat during the Desert Shield and Desert Storm conflicts.

During his military career, Saputo earned military honors including the Bronze Star for valor, a Defence Meritorious Service Medal and the Humanitarian Relief Medal, among other accomplishments.

In the last two decades, Saputo’s company has supported more than 600 charities annually in Sarasota and Manatee counties and donated more than $6.8 million in scholarships to students through the Step Up for Students program.

Saputo said his nomination by DAR for the Medal of Honor is more embarrassing than surprising.

“Everything I did in my career was because I had serving with me a tremendous group of officers who served underneath me,” Saputo said. “I owe this entire accolade that I’m receiving to them. I do it in honor of them and the Marines in my career who I knew and passed away in battle.”

Comments from John Saputo:
On the Daughters of the American Revolution:
“This is a civic group that believes in the Constitution of the United States, but it also believes that one of the things they need to do is to honor people who believe (in the Constitution) as strongly as they do.”

On America’s military structure:
“The beauty of our system is that from the time you become an officer or an enlisted man, (you) take an oath of office to the Constitution of the United States. We’re the only military that does that.”

On his military career:
“It’s military service, but I’m good at it. I’m damn good at fighting wars. I’m damn good at leading men. It’s my responsibility to take up arms. I’m disappointed that at the age of 55/56 (you have to retire). I still had a lot of good years left in me.”

On public perception of the military:
“American has grown up a little bit since (Vietnam). It has gotten a little more politically involved in the policies of their government and realize that wars are nothing more than an extension of the political process.”

Saputo attributes veterans for success
Col. John Saputo leads his troops in business as he would in combat — with loyalty, focus and perseverance.

It’s only fitting, then, that Saputo, owner of Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, hires like-minded employees.
Thirty-eight percent of Gold Coast’s roughly 160 employees are military veterans. Saputo says the statistic isn’t coincidence.

“Their attitudes are normally very upbeat, positive,” Saputo said. “They’re very can-do and mission-oriented.”

When Saputo looks at new hires — veterans, in particular — his hands first reach for the DD2-14 form attached to their resumes.

“It’s his whole life history on one piece of paper,” Saputo says.

Saputo looks to see if the individual advanced in rank during his or her four-year enlistment or if he earned any awards, particularly any for good conduct.

Then, Saputo looks at that veteran’s military specialty.

“The military is the absolute best trainer for technical skills,” he said. “It’s also the No. 1 trainer for leadership skills. I know (these veterans) have been under maximum pressure and won’t break.”

Such qualities, Saputo said, are essential for the beverage distribution industry, which sometimes requires long hours, dedication and follow-through.

Veterans also understand the importance of caring for equipment and other details non-veterans sometimes overlook, he said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected]