David Raymond Shearin

COLONEL DAVID RAYMOND SHEARIN
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron 08 ("Dirty Eight")

David Raymond Shearin was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to William Stewart Shearin and Mary Ella Saunders. Earning a congressional appointment from Tennessee, David joined the pioneer charter class of the United States Air Force Academy in 1955.

At the Academy, he was assigned to Cadet Squadron 08, where his squadmates affectionately nicknamed him "Doc." David distinguished himself outside the classroom as a member of both the USAFA Varsity Fencing Team and the Soaring Club. On June 3, 1959, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree as one of the 207 original trailblazers of USAFA’s inaugural graduating class.

STRATEGIC AIRLIFT & THE JET TRANSITION ERA (1959–1967)

Upon earning his commission, Lieutenant Shearin entered USAF Pilot Training (1959–1960). He began his operational flying career at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, piloting the heavy C-124 Globemaster II ("Old Shaky") with the 3rd Air Transport Squadron (1961–1965). During this period, he completed Squadron Officer School (SOS) in 1963.

As Military Airlift Command (MAC) ushered in the jet era, Shearin transitioned to the USAF's newest strategic transport, the C-141 Starlifter, serving with the 3rd Military Airlift Squadron (1965–1967). There, he executed intercontinental airlift missions supporting U.S. forces worldwide.

PACIFIC THEATER & VIETNAM WAR SERVICE (1967–1971)

In 1967, Shearin was posted overseas to Kadena Air Base, Japan, serving as Airlift Command Post Duty Officer with the 603rd Military Airlift Support Squadron. At Kadena, he coordinated high-tempo strategic transport and logistics movement throughout the Pacific theater during the peak of the Vietnam War.

In 1970, he deployed into the combat theater, assigned to the Air Force Advisory Group at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. Operating out of Tan Son Nhut, Shearin directed and flew operational mobility missions under direct combat conditions. His courage, aerial skill, and meritorious leadership in Southeast Asia earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

LEADERSHIP, OPERATIONS RESEARCH & MAC SIMULATION (1971–1980S)

Returning stateside in 1971, Shearin stepped into command as a Squadron Commander at Officer Training School (OTS), Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Selected for advanced academic training at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1972, he earned a Master of Science in Systems Analysis (MSS) in February 1974. His thesis—A Multi-Project Scheduling Program for the 4950th Test Wing—pioneered mathematical algorithms and computer scheduling models for military flight test and defense management programs.

Following AFIT, Colonel Shearin was assigned to Air Force Studies & Analysis in Rosslyn, Virginia (1974–1978). In 1978, he joined Headquarters Military Airlift Command (HQ MAC), serving as Chief of the Simulation Division within the Directorate of Operations Planning Support. In this leadership role, he leveraged computer modeling and war-gaming simulations to optimize worldwide strategic airlift deployment readiness.

PERSONAL LIFE & LEGACY

Colonel Shearin married Myra Margaret Marshall. Across 31 years of dedicated military service, he earned a reputation among his peers as a skilled command pilot, an operations analyst, and an officer devoted to his family and country.

Colonel Shearin passed away from medical causes in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1987, at the young age of 50. He remains remembered by his classmates of the inaugural Class of 1959 as a dedicated pioneer of the Air Force Academy legacy.

EDUCATION


1955–1959 U.S. Air Force Academy B.S., Charter Class (CS-08 "Doc")
1959–1960 USAF Pilot Training Command Pilot Qualification
1963 Squadron Officer School (SOS) Professional Military Education
1972–1974 Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) M.S. Systems Analysis (MSS)

MEDALS & MAJOR DECORATIONS


Legion of Merit 1 Outstanding meritorious conduct and superior service
Distinguished Flying Cross 1 Heroism / extraordinary achievement in aerial flight (Vietnam)
Meritorious Service Medal 1 Meritorious service to the U.S. Air Force
Air Medal 4 Combat flight operations and air mobility missions (Vietnam)
Air Force Commendation Medal 1 Meritorious achievement and air service

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1960 Student Pilot USAF Pilot Training Primary & Basic Flying Training
1961–1965 Pilot 3rd Air Transport Sq, Charleston AFB, SC C-124 Globemaster II
1965–1967 Pilot 3rd Military Airlift Sq, Charleston AFB, SC C-141 Starlifter
1967–1970 Command Post Duty Officer 603rd Military Airlift Spt Sq, Kadena AB, Japan Strategic Airlift Logistics
1970–1971 Advisory Group Officer Advisory Group, Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam Combat Mobility & Air Logistics
1971–1972 Squadron Commander Officer Training School (OTS), Lackland AFB, TX Leadership & Cadet Officer Development
1972–1974 AFIT Graduate Student Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH Multi-Project Computer Scheduling
1974–1978 Operational Analyst Air Force Studies & Analysis, Rosslyn, VA Systems & Force Structure Analysis
1978–1980s Chief, Simulation Division HQ Military Airlift Command (MAC), DCS/Ops Planning Strategic Transport Fleet Simulation & Wargaming