Jay Stout was born on May 3, 1959, in Indianapolis, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue University, he was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Class program on June 1, 1981, and then completed flight school at NAS Chase Field, Texas, where he was designated a Naval Aviator on May 13, 1983. After completing F-4 Phantom II training at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, Lt Stout served as an F-4 pilot with VMFA-451 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, from March 1984 to July 1985, and then with VMFA-312 at MCAS Beaufort from July 1985 to March 1986. His next assignment was as a T-2C Buckeye flight instructor at NAS Chase Field from March 1986 to June 1989, followed by F/A-18 Hornet transition training. Capt Stout served as an F/A-18 pilot with VMFA-451 at MCAS Beaufort from March 1990 to July 1993, and during this time he flew 37 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, having deployed with his unit to Southwest Asia from August 1990 to April 1991. Maj Stout next served as an F/A-18 pilot with VMFA-232 at MCAS El Toro and then at MCAS Miramar, California, from July 1993 to August 1996, followed by service as Executive Officer of the 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, from August 1996 to August 1998. LtCol Stout's final assignment was on the staff of he 3rd Marine Air Wing and Marine Air Group 11 at MCAS Miramar from August 1998 until his retirement from the Marine Corps on July 1, 2001. During his military flying career he accumulated over 4,600 flight hours.

His Navy Commendation Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

For heroic achievement while serving as a pilot of an F/A-18A aircraft in Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 451, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific while deployed to South West Asia in support of Operation Desert Storm. On 24 January 1991 while assigned as a section lead in a strike package that included twenty F/A-18 "Hornet" jet fighter/attack aircraft, one EA-6B "Prowler" electronic countermeasure aircraft and one KC-130 aerial refueled aircraft, Captain Stout was tasked with striking the Iraqi III Corps Forward Headquarters located in the vicinity of the Peoples Republic of Kuwait. Despite being targeted by intensive enemy surface to air missile fire and a heavy barrage of enemy antiaircraft artillery, he courageously executed precision bombing strikes against his target with little or no regard for his own safety. His actions ensured the total destruction of his target and were instrumental to the success of the air campaign during the initial critical days of Operation Desert Storm. Captain Stout's courage, initiative, and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.