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Former Air Force Surgeon General, Lt Gen Schafer, passes away

  • Published
  • By Air Force Medical Service Historian's Office
FALLS CHURCH, Va. --  The Air Force Medical Service remembers retired Lt. Gen. (Dr.) George E. Schafer, former Air Force Surgeon General, who passed away on Jan. 23, 2015, in San Antonio, Texas.

Schafer was the ninth surgeon general, sworn in on Aug. 1, 1975.  He served in that position until July 31, 1978 and retired on Aug.1, 1978. 

The son of a physician, Schafer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1922.  He graduated from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine in 1946 and entered the Army Air Forces in July 1947, just a few months before the Air Force became a separate service.  He was listed amongst the first physicians to transfer to the new Air Force Medical Service in 1949.

General Schafer had the distinction of being the first flight surgeon to serve with a jet aircraft group.  As his career progressed, Schafer served in a number of positions both in the U.S. and oversees.  This included a stint as commander of the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine from 1967 to 1969.

In 1969, Schafer deployed to the Republic of Vietnam and served as surgeon for the 7th Air Force at Tan Son Nhut Airfield.  In April 1975, he assumed the duties as Air Force Deputy Surgeon General and four months later became the Surgeon General.

Schafer was a past president of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States; a past president of the Aerospace Medical Association and a fellow in Aviation Medicine; a past president of the Society of USAF Flight Surgeons; and a member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Preventive Medicine. He was board certified in Aerospace Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and authored several professional publications in the field of aerospace medicine.

His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Korean order of National Security Merit Guk Seon Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Republic of Vietnam Honor Aeronaut Command Wing Medal Award, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.