General John Albert Shaud USAF, Ret.

It is with profound sadness that the family of General John Albert Shaud announces his passing from complications associated with a recent stroke. The General, 92, died at his home in McLean, Virginia surrounded by his wife and loving family. He was a man of deep faith, personal conviction and high moral character.

He is survived by his wife Beverly Brockus Shaud, his children, Patricia Francis (Tom), James Shaud (Lola) and Katherine Tofigh (Navid).

In addition, General Shaud was the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren, Joey (Elizabeth) and Katherine Francis; Jamie, Sam, Ana and Ryan Shaud; and James, Jason and Luke Tofigh, and a great granddaughter, Charlotte Francis. He is also survived by Beverly’s children, Susan Heinberg (Andrei Oleinik), their two children, Nikita and Alex Oleinik, whom he considered his grandchildren, and Jason Heinberg. He is predeceased by his first wife, Janelle Ohlenbusch Shaud; his parents, Helen and Albert Shaud; and his brother, the Reverend James Shaud.

General Shaud was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1956. He was also a graduate of the Air Force Air Command and Staff College and the National War College. He earned a master’s degree from The George Washington University and a PhD from The Ohio State University.

General Shaud began his career as a B-47 pilot and later flew B-52 bombers. He also flew fighter jet aircraft when assigned to Vietnam and Thailand where he flew the RF-4C as a flight commander with the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Later assignments included commanding the 57th Air Division at Minot AFB, North Dakota; the 449th Bombardment Wing at Kincheloe AFB, Michigan; the 92nd Bombardment Wing and the 47th Air Division at Fairchild AFB, Washington. Pentagon assignments included the Air Force

Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. His final assignments were as the Commander, Air Training Command at Randolph AFB, Texas, and then as Chief of Staff of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.

During his career, General Shaud accumulated more than 5,600 flying hours, including 251 hours in combat. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf cluster.

Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1991, General Shaud continued to serve: as Executive Director of the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS); senior mentor for the Pentagon’s CAPSTONE Program, mentoring officers from all services newly promoted to flag rank; and Executive Director of the Air Force Association (AFA) from 1995 to 2002. He was also the first director of the Air Force Research Institute (AFRI) at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from 2008-2013, and, since October 2014, General Shaud served as President of the SHAPE Officers Association. In 2008, General Shaud was honored to receive the West Point Distinguished Graduate Award. In 2019, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Air and Space Forces Association.

Funeral plans are pending. General Shaud will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

“Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23