General Shoemaker's military career has been marked with conspicuous contributions to Army Aviation.

During 1960-1961 he commanded the first experimental Aerial Combat Reconnaissance Company. In 1962 he served on the Tactical Mobility Requirements Board (Howze Board) and later in 1962-63 he was sent to Vietnam to document Army Aviation accomplishments and potential.

In 1963-1965 he played a key role during tests of Howze Board concepts with the 11th Air Assault Division. When that division was redesignated the 1st Cavalry Division and deployed to Vietnam in 1965, he served with distinction in combat as commander of the 1/9 Cavalry and 1st of the 12th Infantry.

He returned to Vietnam for a third tour in 1969-1970 as Brigade Commander, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division.

At Fort Polk, as CG of the 1st Cavalry Division and later III Corps, he brought on line the Army's first Air Cavalry Attack Brigade. General Shoemaker's military career, culminating as Commanding General of Forces Command, involved many pioneering efforts in the development of tactics, equipment, and concepts that are now that cornerstones of Army Aviation.