Born to Serve

Samuel Sutton Jr. grew up poor in Kinston, North Carolina. His childhood home had no central heat or hot water. He and his family walked seven miles roundtrip to church every Sunday because they didn''t have a car. To help out, Sam picked tobacco during his summer vacations, starting at age ten.

But Sam was to rise far in life from these humble beginnings. Joining the Navy in 1979, he embarked on ...