Robert Shumaker graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1956. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on February 11, 1965, and was held until his release exactly EIGHT years later on 12 February 1973. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral on January 29, 1988, and subsequently became an assistant dean at George Washington University and later became the associate dean of the Center for Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota.
Sponsored by:
Robert
Harper
Shumaker
POW (RVN)
May 11, 1933
–
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in July 1969. Commander Shumaker’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Shumaker reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 11, 1965 – February 12, 1973
Commander Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 11, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1965 – January 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1965 to January 1966 and from August 1969 to January 1971. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
October 1983 – July 1986
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California from October 1983 to July 1986. Rear Admiral Shumaker’s superb performance of duty was instrumental in implementing many new and improved programs at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). As the Chief of Naval Operations representative on graduate education, he went beyond the call of duty, for example by teaching two courses to ascertain first hand problems faced by professors and students, and speaking to both international and U.S. Navy audiences on why graduate education is important. He converted many manual functions to computerized systems to upgrade the School’s overall effectiveness in administrative and computer science support. Rear Admiral Shumaker initiated an annual “Superintendent’s Golf Tournament” involving local community leaders; reorganized the enlisted structure to emphasize their importance to the School; coordinated with curriculum sponsors to ensure NPS’ graduate courses support the Department of Defense goals; and provided a “welcome aboard” video tape recording which was sent to many fleet units and embassies which sponsor international students at NPS. Rear Admiral Shumaker’s distinctive accomplishments, managerial acumen, and relentless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Commodore Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as the Defense Suppression Systems Project Manager, Naval Air Systems Command from August 1978 to August 1983. Commodore Shumaker, through exacting management, extraordinary technical competence, and effective personal effort, significantly enhanced the development and acquisition of nine major defense suppression weapon systems. By his strong expert guidance, he very successfully directed these programs through the various acquisition phases and life cycle milestones. Commodore Shumaker’s perceptive planning culminated in aggressive operational tests which resulted in substantial resource savings and significant technical improvements in the weapon systems. A consummate manager, Commodore Shumaker conscientiously met ambitious goals established to provide vital tactical capabilities to the fleet at the earliest possible date. The success of these programs attests to his superior management skills in developing imaginative methods of financing, fostering the continuing confidence and cooperation of other military services, and inspiring within his headquarters staff a deep dedication to the needs of the fleet. Commodore Shumaker’s singular achievements, management expertise, and exceptional devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
February 11, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 11 February 1965 as a pilot of jet aircraft, serving with Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR (VF-154), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43), during combat operations in Southeast Asia. Commander Shumaker was assigned the mission of target combat air patrol during a retaliatory air strike against the Chanh Hoa Army Barracks north of the City of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. After the attack aircraft had departed the target area, he descended to low altitude in order to suppress anti-aircraft artillery fire directed against photographic-reconnaissance aircraft flying over the target. Despite extremely poor weather conditions and in the face of heavy ground fire, Commander Shumaker carried out rocket and strafing attacks against enemy gun positions. His courage and skilled airmanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1965 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 1965 to February 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as an educator to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Shumaker is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in August 1966. Commander Shumaker’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Shumaker reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
-
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 1969 to January 1973. Although under constant surveillance during this period, he performed in an exemplary and professional manner as a leader and staff advisor in duties involving highly classified material. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Having volunteered in spite of great personal risk, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
August 1986 – December 1987
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Robert Harper Shumaker (NSN: 0-548955/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Tactical Air, Surface and Electronic Warfare Development Division, Directorate of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. from August 1986 through December 1987. An extremely dedicated, energetic, and astute leader and manager, Rear Admiral Shumaker was directly responsible for numerous successes in the development of vital Navy and joint service Research and Development programs, establishing the Navy Air Defense Initiative program, and maintaining the viability of the International Cooperative programs. As the U.S. Delegate to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Naval Armaments Group, his distinguished contributions and articulate presentations served to solidify the alliance and led directly to the successful conclusion of Memoranda of Understanding on the NATO Anti-Air Warfare system and the NATO Replacement Frigate of the 1990’s, thus having a lasting impact on the conventional warfighting capability of NATO for years to come. Rear Admiral Shumaker’s inspirational leadership, unfailing sense of judgment, and absolute devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.