Hugh Shelton

Shelton was born in Tarboro, North Carolina{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/collateral/articles/s05.who.did.that.sign.say.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727114434/http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/collateral/articles/s05.who.did.that.sign.say.pdf|url-status=dead|title="Who Did That Sign Say?" p. 4|archive-date=27 July 2011|access-date=13 December 2021}} and graduated from North Edgecombe High School in 1959.{{cite web |url=https://tchof.org/general-henry-hugh-shelton/ |title=General Henry Hugh Shelton |date=2004 |publisher=Twin County Museum & Hall of Fame |location=Rocky Mount, North Carolina |access-date=26 March 2022}} Shelton attended North Carolina State University, and was a member of Pershing Rifles. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in textile engineering in 1963 while earning his Army commission through Reserve Officers' Training Corps training. Shelton's further education includes a Master of Science degree in political science from Auburn University at Montgomery in 1973 as well as studies at the Air Command and Staff College from August 1972 to June 1973 and the National War College from June 1982 to June 1983.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/17/us/man-in-the-news-henry-hugh-shelton-general-who-sets-pace.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm|title=Man in the News: Henry Hugh Shelton; General Who Sets Pace|first=David|last=Stout|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1997-09-17|access-date=27 October 2011}}{{cite news |title=Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, First Session, 105th Congress: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate |volume=105 |issue=371 |pages=459–462 |date=1998 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0160562556}} Shelton married Carolyn L. Johnson in 1963; the pair have three sons together.

Shelton served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War with the 5th Special Forces Group, and with the 173rd Airborne Brigade,{{cite news|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/05/29/gen.shelton/index.html|title=Ex-Joint Chiefs chair undergoes spinal surgery|publisher=CNN|date=2002-05-29|access-date=27 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513225426/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/05/29/gen.shelton/index.html|archive-date=13 May 2008}} followed by a series of command and staff assignments. Following the Gulf War, Shelton commanded the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg 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 United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). He was the first Graduate of the U.S. Army Special Forces Program to command SOCOM.

Upon the retirement of John M. Shalikashvili, Shelton was appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Bill Clinton and Secretary of Defense William Cohen on 1 October 1997.{{cite news |last=Stout |first=David |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/17/us/man-in-the-news-henry-hugh-shelton-general-who-sets-pace.html |title=Man in the News: Henry Hugh Shelton; General Who Sets Pace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103230621/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/17/us/man-in-the-news-henry-hugh-shelton-general-who-sets-pace.html |work=The New York Times|date=September 17, 1997 |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |access-date=November 23, 2021}}

Shelton led the planning of the Kosovo War in 1999 during his time in office. Later 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/11/03/column.shields.opinion.dover/index.html|title=Time to take the Dover test|date=2003-11-03|publisher=CNN|access-date=27 October 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119215847/http://articles.cnn.com/2003-11-03/politics/column.shields.opinion.dover_1_dover-test-iraq-today-s-bush?_s=PM%3AALLPOLITICS|archive-date=19 January 2012}} During the events of 11 September 2001, Shelton was flying on-board Boeing C-135 Speckled Trout, traveling to a NATO meeting in Europe, but turned back and returned to Washington.{{Cite book|last=Shelton|first=Hugh|title=Without Hesitation: The Odyssey of an American Warrior|publisher=St. Martin's Press|date=October 12, 2010|isbn=978-0312599058}} Upon entering the United States Airspace, the C-135 flew past the World Trade Center so Shelton was able to assess the situation following the attack. Already scheduled to retire in October, Shelton spent his last weeks in office coordinating military plans to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan and helping to develop an interagency strategy to defeat, disrupt, and degrade terrorist activities around the world. These would form the basis of Operation Enduring Freedom and the global War on Terror.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jcs.mil/About/The-Joint-Staff/Chairman/General-Henry-Hugh-Shelton/|title=Joint Chiefs of Staff > About > The Joint Staff > Chairman > General Henry Hugh Shelton|website=Jcs.mil|access-date=13 December 2021}} Upon Shelton's end of term, President George W. Bush nominated then-Vice Chairman Air Force General Richard Myers, who was sworn in on 1 October 2001.

In 2002 Shelton founded the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Center at North Carolina State University. The center was created to "inspire, educate, and develop values-based leaders, both locally and globally, committed to personal integrity, professional ethics, and selfless service."

In his retirement, Shelton joined the Board of Directors of Red Hat in April 2003, and was elected that board's chairman in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.redhat.com/about/news/prarchive/2010/shelton.html |title=General Hugh Shelton Elected Chairman of Red Hat Board of Directors |date=30 August 2010 |publisher=Red Hat, INc. |access-date=31 August 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.newsobserver.com/business/red-hat-names-gen-shelton-as-chairman|title=Red Hat names Gen. Shelton as chairman|author=Alan M. Wolf|date=30 August 2010|publisher=News & Observer (Raleigh)|access-date=31 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831115537/http://blogs.newsobserver.com/business/red-hat-names-gen-shelton-as-chairman|archive-date=31 August 2010}} He also holds directorships at Anheuser Busch, Anteon International and Protective Products of America. At his alma mater of North Carolina State University, the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Center was founded in 2002, which grants scholarships to people who are committed to personal integrity, professional ethics, and selfless service.{{Cite web | url=http://sheltonleadership.ncsu.edu/about/ |title = About Us|website=Shelton.eadership.ncsu.edu}}

Shelton also served as an advisor to Senator John Edwards' presidential campaign from 2003 to 2004.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-07-op-arkin7-story.html|title=The General Unease With Wesley Clark|first=William|last= Arkin|newspaper=LA Times|date=2003-12-07|access-date=27 October 2011}} Shelton created a minor controversy for 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, a subordinate of Shelton's 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 Clark's candidacy.{{cite web |url=http://www.losaltosonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12066&Itemid=47 |title=Los Altos Town Crier – Gen. Shelton shocks Celebrity Forum, says he won't support Clark for president |website=Losaltosonline.com |date=2003-09-24 |access-date=7 December 2010 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721035234/http://www.losaltosonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12066&Itemid=47 |url-status=dead }}

On 1 March 2008, 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." Shelton was the second Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to endorse Clinton, the first being General John Shalikashvili.{{cite web |url=http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=6280 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-03-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305204755/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=6280 |archive-date=5 March 2008}}

On 12 October 2010, Shelton published his autobiography, Without Hesitation: The Odyssey of an American Warrior, along with coauthors Ron Levinson and Malcolm McConnell.{{cite web|url=http://www.hughshelton.com/index-4.html |title=General Hugh Shelton – News |website=Hughshelton.com |date=2010-08-30 |access-date=8 December 2010}} An excerpt tells the story of a high-ranking Clinton Cabinet member proposing that Shelton intentionally allow an American pilot to be killed by the Iraqis to have an excuse to retaliate and go to war.{{Cite web |url=http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/15/clinton_official_iraq_hugh_shelton |title=Clinton aide's idea: Let Iraq shoot down U.S. Plane - War Room - Salon.com |access-date=October 26, 2010 |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020091940/http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/15/clinton_official_iraq_hugh_shelton |url-status=dead }} The book also tells of Bill Clinton's tearful confession to Shelton;{{cite web |url=http://politics.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2010/10/04/bill-clinton-wept-over-the-monica-lewinsky-scandal |title=Bill Clinton Wept Over the Monica Lewinsky Scandal – Washington Whispers (usnews.com) |website=Politics.usnews.com |date=2010-10-04 |access-date=8 December 2010}} a time during the Clinton administration when a close Clinton aide lost possession of the biscuit (top secret presidential nuclear launch authorization codes);{{cite web |author=Lauren Frayer Contributor |url=http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/general-clinton-lost-the-biscuit-nuclear-codes/19684849 |title=General: Clinton Lost 'The Biscuit' – Nuclear Codes |website=Aolnews.com |date=1941-12-07 |access-date=8 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124193010/http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/general-clinton-lost-the-biscuit-nuclear-codes/19684849 |archive-date=24 November 2010}} details of a contentious Camp David meeting among George W. Bush and his National Security Council immediately after 9/11, where internal battle lines were drawn.{{cite web |last=Tencer |first=Daniel |url=http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/iraq-fiasco-due-bushs-lies/ |title=Ex-top soldier: Iraq war 'fiasco' due to Rumsfeld's 'lies' |publisher=Raw Story |date=2010-10-13 |access-date=8 December 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018140114/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/iraq-fiasco-due-bushs-lies/? |url-status=dead }} His book also says there were multiple attempts to kill Osama bin Laden that were shot down by Madeleine Albright.

On 27 August 2010, a statue of Shelton was unveiled and dedicated at the Airborne Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC. The statue was commissioned and donated by H. Ross Perot.{{cite web |url=http://www.soc.mil/UNS/Releases/2010/August/100827-02.html |title=100827-02 Gen. Hugh Shelton statue dedicated at ASOM |website=News.soc.mil |date=2010-08-27 |access-date=8 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927072743/http://www.soc.mil/UNS/Releases/2010/August/100827-02.html |archive-date=27 September 2011}}

On 24 October 2010, Shelton appeared on This Week with Christiane Amanpour, on 6 December 2010, on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and on 30 December 2010, on The Charlie Rose Show on PBS and Bloomberg TV, to promote the publication of his memoir.{{cite web|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/gen-shelton-on-jon-stewart_n_793090.html |title=Gen. Shelton on Jon Stewart: Extended Interview With Opinions on WikiLeaks, Iran, DADT |website=Huffingtonpost.com |date=2010-12-07 |access-date=3 January 2011}}

On 20 October 2012, Shelton was honored at the 6th Annual Brian & Kendra's Bluegrass Party in Speed, North Carolina. He was presented with a Distinguished Achievements plaque and a roadside display at the entrance of Speed, honoring his hometown and acknowledging his achievements.

Shelton and his wife, Carolyn, established the Hugh and Carolyn Shelton Military Neurotrauma Foundation in 2005 to fund research into traumatic brain injury among military personnel.{{cite web|url=http://www.sheltonfoundation.org/|title=The Hugh and Carolyn Shelton Military Neurotrauma Foundation|publisher=The Hugh and Carolyn Shelton Military Neurotrauma Foundation|access-date=27 June 2015|archive-date=December 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218065328/http://sheltonfoundation.org/|url-status=dead}}

* - Date of rank adjusted for time not spent on active duty. Receipt of officer's commission in June 1963.

{{cite book |title=The Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1949-2016 |date=June 21, 2019 |publisher=Joint History Office |isbn=978-1075301711 |page=205 |edition=3 |url=https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/History/Institutional/Chairmanship%20book%202016.pdf}}

Shelton's decorations and medals include:

In 1998, Shelton received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council members General Colin L. Powell and General John M. Shalikashvili.{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |publisher=American Academy of Achievement|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#public-service}}{{cite web |date=1998 |title=Gen. Colin Powell Biography Photo |url= https://achievement.org/achiever/general-colin-l-powell/ |quote= At the 1998 Achievement Summit in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, four Academy members and Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: General John M. Shalikashvili, USA (the Academy's Class of 1994), General David C. Jones, USAF (Class of 1979), General Henry (Hugh) Shelton, USA (Class of 1998) and General Colin L. Powell, USA (Class of 1988).}}

File:2002 General Henry H. Shelton Congressional Gold Medal front.jpg

In 2002, Shelton received the Congressional Gold Medal. The citation says, "Throughout his 38 years of service to his country, his ascent through the ranks of the Army, two tours in Vietnam and duty in Operation Desert Storm, Gen. Shelton has carried with him the North Carolina values of service, sacrifice, love of family, faith in God and devotion to country."{{cite news | last =DeNardo | first =Christina |author2=Associated Press | title =Congressional Gold Medal: Patriotism embodied | work =The Fayetteville Observer | date =September 20, 2002 }}

In 2011, The Command and General Staff College Foundation presented retired General Hugh Shelton with the Foundation's 2011 Distinguished Leadership Award.{{cite web |date= July 22, 2020 |title= Throwback Thursday: Gen. Hugh Shelton receives CGSC Foundation's Distinguished Leadership Award|publisher= Command and General Staff College Foundation, Inc.|url= https://www.cgscfoundation.org/throwback-thursday-general-hugh-shelton-receives-cgsc-foundations-distinguished-leadership-award/}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{wikiquote}}

{{Commons}}

• [http://www.ncsu.edu/extension/sheltonleadership/about/ Army biography and career summary]
• {{C-SPAN|38446}}

{{Clear}}

{{S-start}}

{{S-mil}}

{{Succession box|title=Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|before=John Shalikashvili|after=Richard Myers|years=1997–2001}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States
{{small|as former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1997–2001)}}|years=}}

{{s-aft|after=Richard Myers|as=former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2001–2005)}}

{{S-end}}

{{JCS}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shelton, Hugh}}

Category:1942 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Tarboro, North Carolina

Category:North Carolina State University alumni

Category:Pershing Riflemen

Category:United States Army Rangers

Category:Members of the United States Army Special Forces

Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War

Category:Recipients of the Air Medal

Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)

Category:Auburn University at Montgomery alumni

Category:Air Command and Staff College alumni

Category:National War College alumni

Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)

Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit

Category:United States Army generals

Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)

Category:Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Category:Congressional Gold Medal recipients

Category:Red Hat people

Category:Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire