John Albert Shaud

General, U.S. Air Force

John Albert Shaud was born on 15 December 1933 in Cleveland, OH, where he graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. He attended Lafayette College for a year prior to entering the U.S. Military Academy.

Military Career

Upon graduation from the USMA in 1956, Shaud received a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. He received pilot wings upon graduation from training in August 1957. In December, he was assigned to the 358th Bombardment Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, as a B-47 pilot. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1962. After completing B-52 combat crew training in May 1964, he was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, as an Aircraft Commander with the 17th Bombardment Wing.

Upon graduation from Air Command and Staff College in June 1967, Shaud completed RF-4C qualification training and was assigned to the Southeast Asia theater of operations in January 1968. He served on the Operations Staff of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, and later became an RF-4C Flight Commander with the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. He also received a Master of Science degree from George Washington University in 1967.

Shaud returned to the U.S. and attended Ohio State University, where he received his Doctorate in June 1971. He then was assigned to Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, and served on the faculty of the Air Command and Staff College until entering the National War College in August 1973. After graduating in June 1974, Shaud was assigned to the 449th Bombardment Wing at Kincheloe AFB, MI, as Deputy Commander for Operations. In April 1975, he became Vice Commander of the Wing.

In January 1976, he was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC. During this tour of duty, he served as Chief, Strategic Division; Deputy Chief, Air Force Readiness Initiatives Group; and Assistant Deputy Director for Readiness Development. In June 1978, Shaud assumed Command of the 92nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) and, later, of the 47th Air Division, both at Fairchild AFB, WA.

Shaud transferred to Minot AFB, ND, in August 1980 as Commander of the 57th Air Division. As part of his responsibility, he performed special missions as Commander of the Strategic Projection Force when directed by the Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Air Command.

In October 1981, Shaud returned to Air Force Headquarters, where he served as Deputy Director of Plans and, later, Director of Plans in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations. He remained at the Pentagon as Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel from September 1985 to August 1986. He then became Commander of Air Training Command with Headquarters at Randolph AFB, TX. The command is responsible for recruiting Air Force personnel and providing their military, technical and flying training.

On 1 July 1988, Shaud was promoted to the four-star rank of General and became Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

General Shaud retired from the Air Force on 30 June 1991. During his service, he became a Command Pilot with over 5,600 flying hours. He has flown more than 35 different types of aircraft, including the B-47, B-52, RF-4C, T-38 and C-21A, and has logged 251 combat hours in the RF-4C.

Medals and Awards

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit (2 Awards)

Distinguished Flying Cross

Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards)

Air Medal (6 Awards)

Air Force Commendation Medal (2 Awards)

Badges

Command Pilot Badge
Basic Missileman Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge