Roger James Shields

Roger James Shields passed away January 17, 2017, in Springfield MO at the temporary home of his caregiver. Born April 7, 1931, in Newton MA, to William and Helen Shields, he was raised in Lexington and graduated from Lexington HS. Roger entered Boston College in the pre-med program and while there joined ROTC. After two years, he quit and joined the US Army. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Field Artillery, after basic training at Ft. Chaffee AR, advanced training, Fixed Wing Flight Training and Officer Candidate School studying artillery spotting and fire direction. After being designated Army Aviator in 1954, he was assigned as a Gunnery Instructor with the U.S. Army Aviation School. Following completion of Surface-to-Air Missile Battery Officers Course in 1956, he held successive positions as Aviation Officer-Aviation Commander with the 36th Combat Engineering Group in Korea, 3rd Air Defense Artillery group at Norfolk, VA, and 56th Artillery brigade at Fort Banks MA. From 1961-63 aircraft under Roger's command had flown in excess of 3,000 accident-free miles contributing directly to the outstanding aviation safety awards received by the 56th Artillery Brigade from the Commanding General, United States Army Defense Command. In 1964, he graduated from the University of Omaha with a BGE and was assigned to Fort Richardson AK, where he commanded a light (Shawnee CH21) cargo helicopter company. In 1965, while stationed in Alaska, he served as Commanding Officer, 80th Transportation Company, 19th Aviation Battalion, establishing a first-rate pilot and helicopter instrument operations. During that same tour, he flew NASA Astronauts, to volcanic fields of The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Mt. Katmai, where lava samples could be studied and compared to the moon's surface. This training was geared toward the first 3-man Apollo space flight for the lunar surface mission (Chaffee, White, and Grissom). Roger then received assignment to Ft. Benning GA, where he activated and commanded the 178 Assault Support Helicopter Company Chinook (CH-47). In 1966, Roger was then deployed to The Republic of Vietnam serving as aircraft commander of the Ch-47, airlifting troops from one forward area to another in the vicinity of Binh Ba. After conducting four sorties from the loading zone, Roger's aircraft received four hits resulting in the loss of one engine. Although it was loaded to full capacity, the aircraft was returned to the loading zone on one engine without further damage. Despite the fact the loading zone was under hostile fire, Roger elected to remain with the aircraft until sufficient maintenance was effected. Roger served two campaigns in Vietnam as Commander of the 82d Aviation Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, a position held from 1968 to 1970. For the next three years, Roger was assigned to the Pentagon as Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. His next assignment was as Chief Technical Assistant Field Team, Imperial Iranian Aviation Training Center, Isfahan, Iran, 1973-1975 followed by Chief of Staff, Resource Manager for the 13 western states of Headquarters 6th U.S. Army, Presidio of San Francisco CA, where he retired as a Full Colonel in 1977. Shortly after, Roger was offered and accepted a position as Chief of Staff, Training Division, at Bell Helicopter International in Isfahan, Iran. As the Shah's government began to fall, bombings occurred every night. The Medical Clinic was bombed and moved to a hotel suite; however, fearing for their lives, the Medical Director and American nurses resigned. Roger was asked to assume additional duties as the Director of Personnel Support, the major task being to effect the evacuation of the American women and children from Isfahan of all but the most key employees. After this was done successfully, in January, 1979, Roger and two busloads of the remaining employees escaped from Isfahan to Teheran where they caught the last plane out of Iran. The following year Roger was hired as the Administrative Manager in Ramon, Israel, during the mobilization phase of a major airfield construction project in the Negev Desert. In 1983, Roger's post graduate education was completed at George Mason University, Fairfax VA, with a degree in the first graduating class of Conflict Management. Roger was a member of United States Field Artillery Association; Commonwealth Club of Norfolk VA, Citizen of the Year; The Veterans of Foreign Wars; Army Aviation Association of America; Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Tampa FL; Order of Daedalians, Tampa FL; The Boxcars (Chinook-47); South Missouri Chapter of Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association; Military Officers Association of America, St. Petersburg Chapter with over 500 members. Positions held were Vice President, 1999; and President, 2000-2002; During Roger's tenure as president, the chapter was recognized and awarded as among the few Five-Star Chapters, first time in the chapter's history. Roger also took on the responsibility as editor of the Officers Call newsletter including the legislative update earning the chapter their first Five-Star award for outstanding newsletter; was named Distinguished Person of the Year; Area Vice President; was presented Award of Excellence; Budget and Finance Florida Council of Chapters; Ozark Empire Military Officers Association of America. Among Roger's numerous medals and awards are: Legion of Merit; Bronze Star medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal (5th Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster); Vietnam Service Medal (two campaigns); Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry W/ Palm; Master Aviator Badge; General Staff Identification Badge; and, Imperial Iranian Army Aviation Wings. Roger is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn; his amazing sons, Michael (Ann), San Carlos CA; Roger, Fort Lauderdale FL; ten extraordinary grandchildren, Michael Shields (Elizabeth) San Francisco CA; Kristy Freeman (Matt), San Diego CA; William Shields (Kristen); Centreville VA; Kelly Shields, Fairfax VA; Christopher Shield; Rebecca Shields, San Francisco CA; Erin Shields, San Carlos CA; Dylan Shields, Herndon VA; Mathew Shields, Warrenton VA; and Megan Shields, Warrenton VA. He was preceded in death by his son William. He was lovingly cared for at his home in Nixa MO by his wife, dear and caring friends, neighbors, and Hospice. On Friday, April 21, 2017, at 11 a.m. a service with full military honors will be held at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 South Southwood Road, Springfield MO. A procession will assemble at Adams Funeral Home in Nixa, 109 North Truman Blvd., at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, 1707 West Chestnut Expressway, Springfield MO