Name/Title
Shuffer, Geroge Macon, Jr., Brigadier GeneralEntry/Object ID
9999.BHF.129Scope and Content
Shuffer, George Macon, Jr., Brigadier General. Gen. Shuffer was one of the first black generals in the U.S. Army. Included is a service biography of Shuffer from On Point Magazine, which includes photos. Also a description of the 41st Infantry Regiment from Wikipedia, the internet free encyclopedia.
Copies of photographs of the 1st Infantry, 3rd Brigade activities in Viet Nam in 1965: Helicopters on Route 13, soldiers praying at Michelin Plantation, soldiers carrying body of comrade supported by their rifles; color photo of Gen. Shuffer presenting purple heart to soldier.
Profile:
Shuffer joined the 25th Infantry Regiment in Fort Huachuca, AZ in 1940, one of only 3 units, at that time, that permitted African Americans to serve in the U.S. Army. Serving first as private, then corporal, he was assigned to a segregated training battalion at Camp Woters, TX where he lead a military police patrol.
Shuffer was promoted to sergeant and became a platoon leader in the 55th Training Battalion at the beginning of World War II. Sgt. Shuffer served as aide to the first black general officer, Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, when he inspected Camp Woters in June, 1942. Consequently, Davis recommened Shuffer for Officer Candiate School.
Shuffer graduated from OCS at Fort Benning, GA in 1943 as 2nd lieutenant and was assigned as platoon leader 2d Airbase Security Regiment, Fort Swift , TX, where he experienced continuing discrimination, even as an officer.
When the Army inactivated base security units in 1943, Shufferjjoined the black 93rd Infantry Division and led 3d Platoon, Antitank Company, 368th Infantry, deploying to the Solomon Islands in January, 1944, where they guarded critical landing beaches. Later they were assigned combat missions in the mop-up campaign. Shuffer was promoted to 1st Lt. and earned a Bronze Star for valor.
Aug 15, 1945, Shuffer helped process over 8000 Japanese prisoners for repatriation to their homeland.
After Truman, integrated the services, Shuffer, in 1949. was assigned to 9th Infantry at Fort Dix, and made assistant operations officer, making him the only black officer at the headquarters.
When action began in the Korean War, Shuffer went as Weapons Platoon Leader, Company G, 2d Battalion, 24th Infantry, a black regiment assigned to the 25th Division, later being promoted to Executive Officer of the Company.
Company G saw combat near Kunu-ri. Shuffer led his platoons to inflict heavy casualties on the overwhelming Chinese force, for which Shuffer received a Silver Star.
Assuming command of Company F, Shuffer's company seized Hill 688, capturing over 100 prisoners and killing 153 enemy, forcing the Chinese to retreat. In a 1951 battle in Pogae-San mountains, Shuffer was wounded by a Chinese mortar round that sent fragments into his neck, jaw, and ribcage. He was promoted to Captain and received a Bronze Star.
In 1954, Shuffer was posted to Germany as intelligence officer. In 1959, earning an M.A. degree in History, he was promoted to major. He served in Taiwan as advisor to Army of Republic of China and promoted to Lt. Colonel.
in 1965, Shuffer was deployed to Viet Nam with the 1st Division, where he and his soldiers saw action at Bau Bang and secured the Michelin Rubber Plantation road to Ben Cat and cleared a Viet Cong base camp.
In 1970, Shuffer took command in 193d Infantry Brigade, Panama Canal Zone. In 1972, he was promoted to Brigadier General and became Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, U.S. Army Europe (Germany), where he dealt with racial tensions.
He retired in 1975 after 30 years service. He served as chaplain at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX for the next 27 years. She died in 2005 at age 81.Collection
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Blacks in the Military, Black Generals, Black Military Officers, Segregation, Black History, Military, U.S. Army, Vietnam War, World War II, Korean WarRelationships
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Person or Organization
Shuffer, George Macon, Jr.
