Golden Eagle Takes Final Flight

Rear Admiral USN, Retired May 22, 1921 - October 31st, 2021

By, CJ Machado – Photojournalist & Veteran Advocate

Three war combat veteran, Rear Admiral Doniphan Shelton, USN, Retired, took his final flight at 100 years of age. On Sunday, October 31, 2021, Shelton passed away peacefully in his home of 42 years located in Del Mar, California overlooking the ocean and surrounded by his loving family under hospice care. He was very well respected and admired for his high-spirited and tenacious/determined personality. He lived every day to the fullest and was an icon in the naval community.

RADM Shelton served during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. His career spanned for over 4 decades, precisely 40 years, 1 month, 27 days and 3 hours, Shelton would often joke then follow up with “And I’d do it again!” He flew over 40 different types of aircraft, many as a test pilot. His significant contributions to early naval aviation earned him the coveted Golden Eagle wings.

Shelton was raised in the mid-west in Springfield, MO during the Great Depression. He graduated from Springfield High School and after just having turned 18 years old, he enlisted in the Navy on 06 August 1939. He completed Boot Camp at the Navy Training Center in San Diego, CA in October 1939, initially reporting as a Seaman aboard the battleship, USS New Mexico. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD as a midshipman and was commissioned an Ensign in June 1944 as a member of the accelerated class because of the U.S. involvement in WWII.

In November 1944 aboard the U.S.S. St. Louis, Ensign Shelton witnessed four Kamikaze direct hits during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Shelton remembers having to carry a shipmate on his shoulders from the smoke-filled corridors and after nearly being sunk, he recalled “The ship took weeks to limp back to safety.” As the war ended, he successfully applied for flight training and received his Wings of Gold on February 7, 1947.

Shelton quickly excelled as an all-weather/night fighter pilot flying both the Hellcat and the F4U-5N Corsair. His favorite aircraft being the Corsair. In early 1951 he deployed with the first Night Fighter Detachment, flying the F4U-5N for combat duty. He flew night interdiction missions to then land on a straight deck carrier with only the illumination of flashlights reflecting off dust pans to guide him in. An incomprehensible feat in comparison to today’s aircraft carrier operations.

His most notable flying experiences included March 2, 1951 a successful pre-dawn dead-stick carrier landing in his stricken F4U on the first available deck, the USS Princeton, a sea story he always loved to share, and as a test pilot on February 1, 1956 he performed the first F3H Demon flame-out approach and landing during the F3H Indoctrination Program.

In June 1967 he became Commanding Officer of the ammunition ship, USS Paricutin and deployed to WESTPAC and the Tonkin Gulf for operations in support of carrier operations during the most intense carrier air strike operations of the war in Vietnam, matched only in 1972. At the end of the Vietnam War, April through July 1975, RADM Shelton supervised the initial planning and then coordinated the on-going operations for “Operation New Life,” the processing of 43,000 evacuees and refugees from South Vietnam through Subic Bay. He established facilities on Grande Island and personally directed every facet of operations, from induction, to boarding and feeding, through transportation to the final destination for these thousands of displaced families. He took great pride in that operation and would often emphatically state “To change the course of a person’s life for the better is a remarkable accomplishment. Everyone deserves Freedom, but it must be done legally with appropriate processing.” “Operation New Life” still remains the most wellconstructed processing of refugees into the United States of America.

Shelton eventually retired to San Diego from active duty with his wife Peggy and up until his passing, U.S. citizens that were once Vietnamese refugees would come by his home, showering him with gifts and thanks for their freedom and the opportunity he gave them.

After retirement, Shelton remained an active ambassador for Naval Aviation and was an extremely proud member of the Golden Eagles for over 23 years. He was involved in several naval aviation film projects, such as the short film “The Forgotten Hero” based on fellow Golden Eagle, CAPT E. Royce Williams, USN (Ret.) Korean War MiG engagement. On that project, he served as the Korean War military advisor to aircraft carrier operations, in-air combat, and advised on the expected demeanor of an Admiral from that era.

During rehearsal, he exclaimed “Hot Damn!” when his model F4U Corsair landed on the carrier deck he built out of a wooden plank and craft wire while demonstrating to the film team the correct way to make a successful landing.

CAPT Royce Williams with RADM Shelton Photo Courtesy Ranch and Coast Magazine

Shelton was among the early members and life-long supporters of the Tailhook Association. He recently attended the reunion of Tailhook 2021 and received the “Most Straight Deck Night Traps” Aircraft Carrier Award. His service was so instrumental in shaping naval aviation of today, his stories were recently captured in the Tailhook Association’s “Legends of Carrier Aviation” documentary.

The Godfather of Top Gun, Dan Pedersen referred to the Admiral as “The Great Shelton” and said it best during the recent filming, “Let them see what it can really be like with great leadership like Shelton” when referring to our current administration.

Admiral Shelton was also an active member of the American Legion Post 416 and was revered by their members. During his weekly Friday afternoon visits, the post rewarded his attendance by announcing his arrival and departure with traditional bells and applause of members standing at attention. In support of Shelton’s relentless effort to obtain the Medal of Honor for CAPT E. Royce Williams, the Post submitted his research as a doctoral thesis for which was granted his PhD by National University in the 99th year of his life.

“American Legion Post 416 was gifted by Admiral Shelton’s membership and enthusiastic support of our Post activities. He was truly loved and respected by all of our veterans. The Post is formalizing a fitting lasting tribute within our building in his honor.

He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He now has slipped the surly bonds of earth and has touched the face of God (High Flight). God steer thee well Admiral you touched us all with your life so well lived.” -Post 416 Commander, CAPT Peter-Rolf Ohnstad.

Shelton was predeceased by Peggy in May 2019, and he is survived by daughter Donna and her husband Mike, and daughter Deborah and her husband Tom, three grandchildren, Megan Colburn, Robert Torpey III, and Tiffany Cunningham; four great-grandchildren, Marc Colburn, Camden Cunningham, Paige Torpey, Declan Torpey; and great-great grandchild, Ryker Colburn.

Photo Courtesy Times of San Diego

RADM Don Shelton lived a courageous and fulfilling life of over 100 years. His lifetime of service, both in the military and the community has impacted all who’ve had the honor in knowing him. He will be greatly missed.

Services for RADM Doniphan Shelton will be held on

December 13th 11:00 a.m.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 334 14th St. Del Mar, CA

Masks are required. Parking is limited at the church. There is street parking and parking at the Del Mar Plaza across from the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the US Naval Academy Foundation, 274 Wood Road Annapolis, MD 21402 - https://www.usna.com/give