Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Newsroom

    Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders

    HomeAbout UsBiographiesDisplay      Engage On
        
        BRIGADIER GENERAL SHEPLER W. FITZGERALDShepler W. Fitzgerald was born in Burden, Kan., on Nov. 11, 1884. He graduated from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Laws in 1907. On Dec. 20, 1911, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps of the Regular Army. 
He was first assigned to Fort Monroe, Va., with the 169th Coast Artillery Company. In June 1913 he was transferred to Fort Rodman, Mass., where he remained until October 1914. He was then detailed for duty in the Signal Corps and assigned to the Aviation School at North Island, Calif. 
He and the late Capt. Townsend F. Dodd were awarded the Mackay Trophy in 1914 for the most meritorious flight of the year. Flying a Burgess plane, the two made a reconnaissance flight on Dec. 23, 1914, from Los Angeles, Calif., via Santa Ana, Capistrano and Oceanside, to Delmar, Calif., then to North Island. The take-off from Los Angeles was made at 9:44 a.m., and the landing at North Island at 1:01 p.m. 
In June 1915 he graduated from Flying School and was ordered to duty with the 1st Aviation Squadron at Fort Sill, Okla. He returned to San Diego in November 1915, and in March 1916 proceeded to the Philippine Islands where he served with the 2nd Aero Squadron until June 1916. He returned to the United States and was detailed to the John Hays Hammond Laboratory for experiments with pontoon equipment. 
He was assigned to flying duty at Mineola, N.Y., in December 1916, and in July 1917 was ordered to Toronto, Canada, where he commanded a detachment of American flying students undergoing instruction at the Royal Flying School. He then went to Mount Clements, Mich., for training. 
He sailed for France with the 2nd Provisional Wing of the Air Service in December 1917, and upon arrival was assigned to duty in the Training Section of Headquarters Air Service in Paris. He spent the first three months of 1918 on temporary duty in England, then returned to France for training and flying duty at Tours and Issoudon until April 1918. 
He next was Director of the II Corps Aeronautical School at Chatillon-sur-Seine and of the Second Aviation Instruction School at the Observation Center at Tours. He later was Air Service Commander of the First Army and was commended by the Chief of Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces, for exceptional service. 
Upon his return to the United States in June 1919, he was assigned to duty in the Supply Group, Office of the Director of Air Service, Washington, D.C., and also served as a member of the Joint Army and Navy Board on Aeronautics. In September 1919 he became Assistant to the Executive Officer of the Director of Air Service, and in July 1920 he was assigned to Rockwell Field, Calif., in command of the Aviation, Supply and Repair Depot. 
In October 1922 he was assigned as Executive Officer and Director of Attack Training at Kelly Field, Texas, and served as such until February 1925. He then attended the Army Industrial College, Washington, D.C. Following graduation he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Air Corps, Washington, D.C., in charge of the Procurement Supply Department. In June 1927 he was made Commanding Officer of the Air Corps Primary Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas. He retained this command until July 1930, then was transferred to the Air Corps Tactical School at Langley Field, Va., and graduated in June 1931. He next was assigned to the Army War College, Washington, D.C., and graduated in 1932. 
He proceeded to the Rockwell Air Depot, Calif., which he commanded until November 1934. He then was ordered to Washington, D.C., for duty in G-4, War Department General Staff. 
In September 1938 he was assigned to the command of Luke Field, Hawaii, and in January 1939 became Air Base Commander at Hickam Field, Hawaii. He returned to the United States in August 1940 and joined the 5th Air Base Group at Fort Douglas, Utah. In February 1941 he was assigned to the Inspector General's Department, Washington, D.C., and in May 1942 was ordered to Headquarters Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C., with the Ferrying Command. In June 1942 he became Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in Central Africa. 
After serving a few months in command of the Army Air Forces Radio School #4 at Sioux Falls, S.D., he was given command of the Army Air Forces Technical School and command of the Post, Truex Army Air Field, Wis. 
He is rated a command pilot, combat observer, and technical observer. **PROMOTIONS**First lieutenant, June 18, 1915; captain, May 15, 1917; lieutenant colonel (temporary), Aug. 14, 1918. He reverted to his permanent rank of captain on March 29, 1920, and was transferred to the Air Service on July 1, 1920. He was promoted to major on July 1, 1920; lieutenant colonel, Aug. 1, 1935; colonel (temporary), Aug. 26, 1936; colonel (permanent), Feb. 1, 1941; brigadier general (temporary), April 16, 1942. 
(Current as of July 27, 1945)
  Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil