Career
He was an early hero of the new Air Force Pararescue community, earning a Silver Star in the Korean War. He retired from the Air Force as a full colonel in 1969. On December 16, 1950, Captain
Shumate was awarded the Silver Star with the following citation:
Captain Shumate, in the capacity of para-doctor as part of a helicopter team, left the helicopter upon landing near the crashed aircraft, and rushed to the aid of the pilot.
Enemy forces from a nearby farm house opened fire with small arms in an attempt to prevent any aid by Captain Shumate. At the risk of his life, Captain Shumate leaped to the wing of the aircraft and attempted to lift the pilot out of the cockpit.
The pilot, paralyzed from the waist down and unable to help, was pinned to the wreckage by his flying suit. Still under enemy small arms fire, Captain Shumate lifted and held the pilot with one arm and with his free hand cut away the pilot"s flight suit, freeing the pilot.
Practically exhausted, Captain Shumate managed to carry and drag the pilot to safety from the small arms fire.
Assisted by the helicopter pilot, the injured British fighter pilot was placed aboard the helicopter and flown to a hospital.
