Retired U.S. Army General John Shalikashvili dies

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Retired U.S. Army General John Shalikashvili dies

2011-07-24 12:14:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- Retired Army General John Shalikashvili, who served as the first foreign-born Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Bill Clinton, died at a hospital in Washington state on Saturday. He was 75.

Shalikashvili died at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, on Saturday as a result of complications from a stroke. A public memorial service will be held at the Tacoma Convention Center on August 6, followed by a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Born in Poland in 1936, Shalikashvili rose from a U.S. Army draftee to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served as chairman from 1993 until his retirement in 1997 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Clinton.

"Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our close friend and colleague, General John Shalikashvili. He represented America at its best," Clinton said in a statement. "An immigrant who entered the Army as a draftee, he rose to become an exceptional Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who oversaw more than forty operations, including the liberation of Haiti from a brutal dictatorship and NATO's first use of force outside its member countries in Bosnia."

Clinton praised Shalikashvili for his 'staunch advocacy' for the Bosnian people which he said saved thousands of lives in Bosnia. "He was also a key advocate for nuclear weapons reduction, the expansion of NATO, the creation of a partnership for peace, and, always, for the men and women in uniform from whose ranks he came," Clinton added. "I was honored to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

The former president added that Shalikashvili will be remembered as a "superb general and a wonderful man" who saw the world through some of the most critical moments of the late 20th Century. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan and Brant," Clinton said, referring to Shalikashvili's wife Joan and their son Brant.

President Barack Obama also commented on the death of Shalikashvhili, calling him a "genuine soldier-statesman whose extraordinary life represented the promise of America and the limitless possibilities that are open to those who choose to serve it."

"From his arrival in the United States as a 16-year old Polish immigrant after the Second World War, to a young man who learned English from John Wayne movies, to his rise to the highest ranks of our military, Shali's life was an 'only in America' story," Obama said. "By any measure, he made our country a safer and better place."

Obama recognized Shalikashvili for his work as chairman during which he strengthened the United States' alliances in Europe and in Asia, and forged closer defense ties with Russia. "At the same time, he oversaw successful military operations in Bosnia and Haiti, and elsewhere. Most of all, he fought tirelessly to improve the quality of life for our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and their families who serve to keep us safe," the president said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said he received the news of Shalikashvili's death with a heavy heart. "John was an extraordinary patriot who faithfully defended this country for four decades, rising to the very pinnacle of the military profession," Panetta said. "He lived the American dream, arriving from Europe with his family as a teenager after World War II, and he dedicated his life to defending the country that had quickly adopted him and his family."

Panetta, who served as White House Chief of Staff when Shalikashvili was chairman, said he relied on him for his wise counsel and his wealth of military expertise. "I will remember John as always being a stalwart advocate for the brave men and women who don the uniform and stand guard over this nation," Panetta said. "During my many years of public service, I have had the privilege to serve alongside great leaders. John Shalikashvili was one of this country's finest."

Current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, also mourned the death of Shalikashvili. "We are a stronger, more capable military today because of his efforts to make us so. He will be deeply missed," Mullen said.

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