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Leadership Conference

Rear Admiral Robert H. Shumaker, USN (Ret.)

Shumaker

Rear Admiral Bob Shumaker graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956 and subsequently earned two master's degrees and a doctorate.

After flight training, he flew the F-8 Crusader, but was unfortunately shot down on a mission over North Vietnam in February 1965. As a POW in Hanoi for eight years, he is held in high regard by his fellow POW’s for his resistance, leadership and communication skills during imprisonment.

He served as a major project manager for precision guided munitions, as superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School, and as a research coordinator at the Pentagon. His civilian career included jobs at George Washington University and the University of North Dakota.

His passion for aviation resulted in a homebuilt airplane which he has flown to such far away places as Alaska. Admiral Shumaker’s military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. 

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