Sword Detail

Lt Col Jacob C. Shuler, P.E., USAFR, Ret.

About the donor:

In August 1958, Jake matriculated as a member of the Class of 1962 and was assigned to G Company, 2nd Battalion, majoring in Civil Engineering.

His “First Class Activities” listed in the 1962 Sphinx are as follows: Private G, Private G, Corporal G (Cadre Squad Corporal), First Lieutenant G (G Company Executive Officer); Summerall Guards 1; Bond Volunteers 2; Sphinx Staff 2; Society of American Military Engineers 4, 3, Treasurer 2, 1; American Society of Civil Engineers 3, 2, Treasurer 1; Arnold Air Society 2, 1; Citadel Sky Diving Club 2, Director 1; Flying Club 4, Treasurer 3; Canterbury Club 4, 3, 2, 1; Intramurals 4, 3, 2, 1.

Upon graduation, Jake was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force with a pilot training assignment. He reported to Webb AFB, Big Spring, TX on 11 November 1962 as a member of Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 64-D, and graduated on 9 December 1963, with a T-37 Instructor Pilot assignment. After completion of Pilot Instructor Training at Williams AFB, Chandler, AZ, he reported to B Flight of the 3645th Pilot Training Squadron at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX.

In September 1966, Jake received TDY orders to report to the 562nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS for Operational Training in the F-105, Class 67-HR. Upon completion of this training, he was assigned to the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, reporting there in late September, 1967. From October 1967 through February 1968, Jake flew 48 combat missions, 46 over North Vietnam, 16 of those in Route Pack 6A. In February 1968, he was assigned to the 7th Air Force Command Control Division, Tan Son Nhut AB, Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, as a Mission Launch Control Officer and later Special Projects Officer.

Upon completion of his one year tour in Southeast Asia, Jake received an assignment with the 58th Military Airlift Squadron, Robins AFB, GA as a C-141 Pilot. After completing C-141 training in January 1969 at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK, he flew C-141’s as a 2nd Pilot until May 1968, then as Aircraft Commander until October 1970, when he was released from active duty.

In November 1970, Jake joined the USAF Reserves serving an additional 14 years retiring in June 1992 as a Lt. Colonel. During his Air Force career, he accrued 3,204 flying hours of which 157 were combat hours, and flew a total of 61 combat missions. Awards and decorations include: the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Jake’s professional military education includes the Air Command and Staff College Seminar Program and the Air War College Seminar Program.

In November 1970, Jake entered the employ of McCall-Thomas Engineering Company (McT) in Orangeburg, SC. Primarily an electrical & telecommunications engineering consulting firm, McT served REA Electric and Telephone Cooperatives throughout South Carolina and Georgia. In early 1971, Jake was instrumental in forming the company’s Civil Engineering Branch with major emphasis on environmental engineering, i.e. water and wastewater systems for municipal clients. Jake became a registered professional engineer (PE) in the state of South Carolina in July 1975 and in the state of North Carolina in 1989.

In August of 1987, Jake and two other engineers purchased the Civil Engineering Department from McT and formed Engineering Resources Corporation (ERC), a consulting engineering firm providing civil, environmental, structural, and value engineering services to municipalities, counties, utilities, and federal & state governmental agencies, primarily in the central and lower parts of South Carolina. Starting with 9 employees and rented office space, upon his retirement in January 2005, ERC employed 28 engineers, technologist, technicians, and administrative staff with a main office in Orangeburg and a branch office in Chapin, SC. In addition to serving as a Project Manager, he was a member of the Board of Directors serving as the company’s secretary/treasurer. Additional duties included IT Director and Publications & Technical Specifications Administrator. Jake retired January 2005.

Preferred Sword Disposition: G Company Cadet

This sword has been carried by: