Craig Otis Schaum

COLONEL CRAIG OTIS SCHAUM
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-09
Years of Active Service: 30 Years (1959–1989 / Retired 2000 from Industry)

Craig Otis Schaum was raised in Willmar, Minnesota. Demonstrating strong academic potential and leadership from an early age, he earned a congressional appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy. Admitted as part of the historical charter class, Craig was assigned to Cadet Squadron 09. Throughout his four years in the Cadet Wing, Craig distinguished himself both academically and personally; he graduated in 1959 ranked 16th in General Order of Merit (GOM) out of his entire class. Known among his classmates for his dedication, cheery disposition, and readiness with an encouraging word, Craig was widely respected as a loyal teammate and steadfast friend.

MILITARY CAREER AND FLIGHT TEST LEADERSHIP

Following graduation and commissioning in 1959, Lieutenant Schaum entered Pilot Training at Bartow Air Base and Webb Air Force Base. After completing pilot training, he was assigned to the 380th Bomb Wing at Plattsburgh AFB, flying strategic bombers. Following a tour as a controller and instructor officer with the 4000th Support Group at Offutt AFB and service with the 28th Bomb Squadron at Homestead AFB, he was selected for the prestigious Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS / USAF Test Pilot School) at Edwards Air Force Base in 1968.

Upon qualifying as an experimental test pilot, Craig transitioned to the Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In 1970, he deployed to South Vietnam, serving as an Air Liaison Officer with the 504th Tactical Air Support Group out of Cam Ranh Bay Air Base. Over the course of his flying career, Colonel Schaum accumulated over 5,000 total flight hours, including 650 combat flight hours in Vietnam.

Returning to the flight test domain in 1971, he served as a Flight Commander in the 4950th Test Wing. Following attendance at the Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), Colonel Schaum advanced into senior leadership roles overseeing frontline aerospace development. He served at Headquarters USAF as Chief of the Strategic Aircraft Division and culminated his active military service at Wright-Patterson AFB as Program Director for the F-15 Program and ASD Deputy for Engineering.

DEFENSE INDUSTRY AND SENIOR EXECUTIVE ROLES

After completing 30 years of military service, Colonel Schaum transitioned to executive leadership in the defense aerospace industry. Joining Northrop (later Northrop Grumman), he held executive roles guiding some of the nation’s most advanced stealth and reconnaissance platforms. From 1994 to 1996, he served as Vice President and Chief Engineer for the B-2 Stealth Bomber program in Pico Rivera, California. He subsequently served as Vice President and Program Manager for the Joint STARS (E-8 JSTARS) program in Melbourne, Florida, before retiring as Vice President of Logistics at Northrop Grumman in 2000.

PERSONAL LIFE AND LEGACY

Craig was supported throughout his military and civilian career by his wife, Joann Arnold Schaum. Known across his career as a leader who brought out the best in his teams, his legacy is commemorated on the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial and the Air Force Memorial Logbook.

EDUCATION


1959 United States Air Force Academy B.S., General Engineering (GOM Rank: 16)
1964 Squadron Officer School (SOS) Professional Military Education
1969 USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) Experimental Test Pilot Qualification
1974 Air Command and Staff College Intermediate Service School
1974 Auburn University Graduate Studies
1980 Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) Senior Service School

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1960 Pilot Training Student Bartow Air Base, FL / Webb Air Force Base, TX
1961–1964 Pilot 380th Bomb Wing, Plattsburgh Air Force Base, NY
1964–1966 Controller / Instructor Officer 4000th Support Group, Offutt Air Force Base, NE
1966–1968 Pilot 28th Bomb Squadron, Homestead Air Force Base, FL
1968–1969 Test Pilot Student Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards AFB, CA
1969–1970 Aerospace Research Flight Test Officer Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1970–1971 Air Liaison Officer (Combat Tour) 504th Tactical Air Support Group, Cam Ranh Bay AB, S. Vietnam
1971–1973 Flight Commander 4950th Test Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1973–1974 Student Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
1974–1979 Prototype Program Officer / Test & Eval / SPO Deputy Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1979–1980 Student Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), Washington, D.C.
1980–1982 Chief, Strategic Aircraft Division Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C.
1982–1985 Program Director F-15 / ASD Deputy for Engineering Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1985–1993 Program Manager / Engineering Director Northrop Corporation, Pico Rivera, CA
1994–1996 Vice President & Chief Engineer, B-2 Bomber Northrop Corporation, Pico Rivera, CA
1996–1998 Vice President & Joint STARS Program Manager Northrop Grumman SBMS, Melbourne, FL
1998–2000 Vice President, Logistics Northrop Grumman, Pico Rivera, CA

MEDALS AND DECORATIONS

• Legion of Merit (2 awards / 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Air Medal (10 awards / Silver & 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
• National Defense Service Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Service Stars)
• Air Force Longevity Service Award (with Silver & Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon