George Henry Shelton

George Henry Shelton (June 16, 1871 – November 2, 1920) was an American brigadier general during World War I.

Early life and education George Shelton was born on June 16, 1871, in Seymour, Connecticut. He was educated in Seymour and obtained an appointment to the United States Military Academy from Representative Washington F. Willcox in 1890, after attaining the highest score on a competitive examination, but was unable to attend because he did not score well on the school's entrance exam. He obtained another appointment in 1892, was admitted, and successfully completed the program of instruction. Shelton graduated number 36 of 73 in the class of 1896 and his classmates included Fox Conner and Malin Craig.

Start of career After graduating, Shelton was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 11th Infantry Regiment.

In addition, he was a recipient of the French Croix de guerre.

Death and burial Shelton was attending the War College when he died of blood poisoning at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., on November 2, 1920. Shelton was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 3, Site 1557-K. In 1930, Congress passed legislation restoring World War I general officers to the highest rank they had held, and Shelton's rank was posthumously upgraded.

Family Shelton was the son of Mary Lambert (Webster) Shelton and George P. Shelton, who served in the Connecticut legislature and was adjutant general of the state's National Guard. In 1905, Shelton married Bernice Vivian Barrett (1876-1942). They were the parents of a son, George William Shelton (1912-2000), a Daughter Elizabeth Sarah Shelton 2000 -2012 a son George Henry Shelton Jr a son Joseph Jason Shelton