Hugh Shelton
| Henry H. Shelton | |
|---|---|
| 1942- | |
 General Henry H. Shelton, U.S. Army |
|
| Place of birth | Tarboro, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | U.S. Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Chairman, Joint Chiefs XVIII Airborne Corps 82nd Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (with "V" Device) Purple Heart Air Medal Combat Infantryman Badge Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge Special Forces Tab Ranger Tab |
| Other work | Board of Directors, Red Hat Corporation Director, Anheuser Busch Director, Anteon International Director, Ceramic Protection Corporation |
General Henry Hugh Shelton (born January 2, 1942) is a retired American career military officer. He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001.
Born in Tarboro, North Carolina, 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 served two tours of duty in Vietnam, 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 Green Beret, 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. In 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 US casualties returning at the Dover Air Force Base. During the events of September 11, 2001 he was on a plane to London, England and the then Vice Chairman Air Force General Richard Myers took charge and on October 1, 2001 became his successor.
In his retirement, Shelton joined the Board of Directors of Red Hat Corporation in April 2003. He also holds directorships at Anheuser Busch, Anteon International and Ceramic Protection Corporation.
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.
Shelton also served as an advisor to Senator John Edwards' presidential campaign from 2003-2004. [1]
Shelton married Carolyn L. Johnson in 1963; they have three sons; Jon, Jeff and Mark.
Shelton was raised about 1 mile out of the small town of Speed, North Carolina. Speed is about 12 miles NE of Tarboro. His wife, Carolyn, was raised inside the Speed city limits. HWY 122 which run through Speed to Hobgood, North Carolina (right past the homestead he was raised on) was named after him several years ago. It is called "Henry Hugh Shelton Hwy".
Shelton is considered a possible candidate for US Senate from North Carolina in 2008 against Republican
U.S. Decorations and Badges
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Distinguished Service Medal, Army (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Bronze Star Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Combat V device)
- Purple Heart
- Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Air Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Master Parachutist Badge
- Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge
- Pathfinder Badge
- Special Forces Tab
- Ranger Tab
- Air Assault Badge
- Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
References
Army biography and career summary
| Preceded by John Shalikashvili |
Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff 1997–2001 |
Succeeded by Richard Myers |
| Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff | |
|---|---|
| Bradley • Radford • Twining • Lemnitzer • Taylor • Wheeler • Moorer • Brown • Jones • Vessey • Crowe • Powell • Jeremiah (acting) • Shalikashvili • Shelton • Myers • Pace • Mullen |  |
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