George Francis Schulgen was born on April 23, 1900, in Traverse City, Michigan. He served as a private in the Student Army Training Corps from October to December 1918. He was graduated from Michigan Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1922. On March 11, 1924 he entered the Regular Army as a flying cadet and was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air service on June 15, 1924.
SERVICE
He earned his wings at Brooks Field, Texas and his first commissioned service was at the Air Service Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, in July 1924. The following September he enrolled in the Air service Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas and was graduated in March 1925. He then proceeded to Selfridge Field, Michigan for duty with the 17h Pursuit Squadron. He became Commanding Officer of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, Selfridge Field in September 1925 and the following December was transferred to the 95th Pursuit Squadron at that field.
In May 1926 he was ordered to Clark Field, Camp Stotsenburg, Pampanga, Philippine Islands to join the 3rd Pursuit Squadron. Returning to the United States, he entered the Air Corps Engineering School, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio in July 1928 and was graduated in June 1929. In September 1929 he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and upon completion of the course in June 1930, returned to Wright Field, Ohio for duty in the Power Plant Branch, Experimental Engineering Section, Air Corps, as a test engineer.
He became Assistant to the Post Executive Officer, Langley Field, Virginia in October 1931 and the following November was named Supply Officer, 8th Pursuit Group, Headquarters, Langley Field, Virginia. He was transferred to the 33rd Pursuit Squadron, Langley Field as Operations Officer in July 1932.
In July 1933 he moved to Foxboro, Massachusetts for a tour of duty with the 4th Civilian Conservation Corps District and returned to Langley Field in December 1933 as Commanding Officer of the 33d Pursuit Squadron. From February to May 1934 he served as Control Officer, 1st Section, Eastern Zone, Army Air Corps Mail Operations, Newark, New Jersey after which he returned to his duties at Langley Field. He enrolled in the Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Alabama, in August 1937 and was graduated in June 1938. The following September entered the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and upon graduation in June 1939, became Assistant Chief, Inspection Section, Air Corps Material Division, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio.
He was ordered to Washington, D.C. in December 1941 for duty in the Operations and Training Division, G-3, War Department General Staff, and in February 1942 became Assistant Secretary of the War Department General Staff. He was named Wing Commander, First Air Force, Philadelphia Air Defense Wing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July 1943 and the following October became Chief of Staff, First Air Force, with station at Mitchel Field, New York. In January 1944 he was assigned to duty in the Southwest Pacific Area and several months later was ordered to report for duty with the Southeast Asia Command where he served as Director of Plans and later as a member of War Planning Staff. In June 1945 he was assigned to Office of the Chief of Staff, Washington, D.C., for duty as Deputy Director of the Civil Affairs Division.
In January 1947 he was named Chief of the Air Intelligence Requirements Division, Headquarters U.S. Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C., which position held until the following November when he was appointed Director of Plans and Policies, Directorate of Public Relations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. In January 1948 he was named Deputy Director of Plans and Policies, Directorate of Public Relations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., which position he held until his retirement from the Air Force on December 31, 1948.
He was rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, and Aircraft Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Private, Student Army Training Corps (SATC), October 2, 1918, to December 21, 1918. Flying Cadet, Air Service, March 11, 1924, to July 7, 1924; Second Lieutenant, Air Service, June 15, 1924; First Lieutenant, May 31, 1930; Captain (temporary), April 20, 1935; Captain, August 1, 1935; Major (temporary), March 14, 1936, to June 16, 1936; Major (temporary), March 11, 1940; Major, A.U.S., January 31, 1941; Major, June 15, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), December 5, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., December 24, 1941; Colonel, A.U.S. (Air Corps), March 1, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S., September 4, 1942; Brigadier General, A.U.S., June 29, 1943; Lieutenant Colonel, June 15, 1947; retired in the grade of Brigadier General, December 31, 1948.
DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit, World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army General Staff Identification Badge.