Hugh Shelton
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H. Hugh Shelton | |
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 General Henry H. Shelton, U.S. Army | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Special Operations Command XVIII Airborne Corps 82nd Airborne Division |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War Gulf War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (4) Army Distinguished Service Medal (5) Bronze Star (4, with "V" Device) Combat Infantryman Badge Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge Special Forces Tab Ranger Tab Congressional Gold Medal |
| Other work | Chairman, Board of Directors, Red Hat Corporation Director, Anheuser Busch Director, Anteon International Director, Protective Products of America (PPA.TO) |
General Henry Hugh Shelton (born January 2, 1942) is a retired American career military officer of the United States Army. He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001.
Early life, family and education
Born in Tarboro, North Carolina, Shelton was raised just outside the small town of Speed, North Carolina. North Carolina Highway 122, which runs through Speed to Hobgood, North Carolina (right past the homestead he was raised on), was later named "General Henry Hugh Shelton Hwy" in his honor.[1] Shelton attended North Carolina State University and was a member of Pershing Rifles. He earned a degree in textiles while earning his Army commission through ROTC training. Shelton's further education includes a master's degree from Auburn University in 1973 as well as studies at the Air Command and Staff College and the National War College.
Shelton married Carolyn L. Johnson in 1963.
Military service
Shelton served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group, and with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, followed by a series of command and staff assignments. Following the Gulf War, Shelton commanded the 82nd Airborne Division in his home state of North Carolina. In 1993, he was given command of XVIII Airborne Corps. Shelton led the Joint Task Force responsible for Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti in 1994. In 1996, Shelton, a Special Forces soldier, was promoted to the rank of General and the position of Commander in Chief of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
Upon the retirement of John M. Shalikashvili, Shelton was appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 1997. Shelton lead the planning of the Kosovo War in 1999 during his time in office. Later during his time in that office he coined the phrase "Dover test," testing the support for a war based on the reaction of the people after seeing American casualties returning at the Dover Air Force Base. During the events of September 11, 2001, Shelton was on a plane to London, England. Then-Vice Chairman Air Force General Richard Myers took charge and on October 1, 2001 became his successor after Shelton announced his retirement from the military.
Post-military career
In his retirement, Shelton joined the Board of Directors of Red Hat Corporation in April 2003, and was elected that board's chairman in 2010.[2][3] He also holds directorships at Anheuser Busch, Anteon International and Protective Products of America (PPA.TO).
Shelton created a minor controversy for 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark, a subordinate to Shelton during the 1999 Kosovo military actions, when he stated: "I will tell you the reason [Clark] came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues, things that are very near and dear to my heart. […] I'll just say Wes won't get my vote," casting doubt upon the presidential contender's legitimacy.[4]
Shelton also served as an advisor to Senator John Edwards' presidential campaign from 2003-2004.[5]
Shelton was considered a possible candidate for US Senate from North Carolina in 2008 against Republican Elizabeth Dole.[citation needed]
On March 1, 2008, General Shelton announced his endorsement of Senator Hillary Clinton for the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary, stating, "I’ve been with Senator Clinton when she has been with our military men and women. I know from those experiences that she understands the demands and sacrifice of military life. I am confident she will always put the readiness and well being of our troops first. She is ready to be Commander-in-Chief." General Shelton was the second Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to endorse Senator Clinton, the first being General John Shalikashvili.[6]
On October 12, 2010, General Shelton published his autobiography, "Without Hesitation: The Odyssey of an American Warrior," along with coauthors Ron Levinson and Malcolm McConnell.[7] An excerpt tells the story of a high-ranking Cabinet member proposing that General Shelton intentionally allow an American pilot to be killed by the Iraqis to have an excuse to retaliate and go to war (numerous media outlets speculated that this was Madeleine Albright).[8] The book also tells of Bill Clinton's tearful confession to General Shelton;[9] a time during the Clinton administration when a close Clinton aide lost possession of the "biscuit" (top secret presidential nuclear launch authorization codes);[10] details of a contentious Camp David meeting among President George W. Bush and his National Security Council immediately after 9/11, where internal battle lines were drawn.[11] His book also says there were multiple attempts to kill Osama bin Laden that were shot down by Madeleine Albright.
On August 27, 2010, a statue of General Shelton was unveiled and dedicated at the Airborne Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC. The statue was commissioned and donated by H. Ross Perot.[12]
On December 6, 2010, General Shelton appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and on December 30, 2010, The Charlie Rose Show on PBS and Bloomberg TV, to promote the publication of his memoir Without Hesitation: The Odyssey of an American Warrior.[13]
U.S. Decorations and Badges
General Shelton has been decorated for service, to include:
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References
- ^ "Who Did That Sign Say?" p. 4
- ^ "General Hugh Shelton Elected Chairman of Red Hat Board of Directors". Red Hat, INc. 30 August 2910. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Alan M. Wolf (30 August 2010). "Red Hat names Gen. Shelton as chairman". News & Observer (Raleigh). Retrieved 31 August 2010.
- ^ "Los Altos Town Crier - Gen. Shelton shocks Celebrity Forum, says he won't support Clark for president". Losaltosonline.com. 2003-09-24. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
- ^ "Insurance Company Rates Quotes". Clark04.com. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
- ^ http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=6280
- ^ "General Hugh Shelton - News". Hughshelton.com. 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
- ^ http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/15/clinton_official_iraq_hugh_shelton
- ^ "Bill Clinton Wept Over the Monica Lewinsky Scandal - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)". Politics.usnews.com. 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
- ^ Lauren Frayer Contributor (1941-12-07). "General: Clinton Lost 'The Biscuit' - Nuclear Codes". Aolnews.com. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ Tencer, Daniel (2010-10-13). "Ex-top soldier: Iraq war 'fiasco' due to Rumsfeld's 'lies'". Raw Story. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
- ^ "100827-02 Gen. Hugh Shelton statue dedicated at ASOM". News.soc.mil. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
- ^ "Gen. Shelton On Jon Stewart: Extended Interview With Opinions On WikiLeaks, Iran, DADT". Huffingtonpost.com. 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
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- BLP articles lacking sources from June 2006
- 1942 births
- People from Tarboro, North Carolina
- Recipients of the Special Forces tab
- Congressional Gold Medal recipients
- National War College alumni
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Recipients of the Purple Heart medal
- Recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge
- Recipients of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
- Living people
- Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Joint Chiefs of Staff
- United States Army generals
- Members of the Special Forces of the United States
- American military personnel of the Vietnam War
- Recipients of the Ranger tab
- Auburn University alumni
- North Carolina State University alumni