Posted by Terry Powers on January 15, 2023:

GEORGE H. SYLVESTER 1949 Cullum No. 16828-1949 | March 2, 2015 | Died in Palm Beach Shores, FL Interred in West Point Cemetery, NY George Howard Sylvester, Air Force three-star general, West Point graduate, fighter pilot in Vietnam, community volunteer and leader, husband, father, grand and great-grandfather was known by all as a warm and personable man of integrity, living the West Point motto: "Duty, Honor, Country." Born in Riverside, NJ on August 10, 1927, George grew up in Philadelphia, PA and Rochester, NY. Entering West Point at age 17, he was a star athlete and set records in the high hurdles. He was a born leader: his intellect, fairness, optimism, sportsmanship, charisma, and kindness admired by all. Upon graduation in 1949, he married Elaine Winderling of Yonkers, NY, and they launched together on a 32-year career in the U.S. Air Force, raising three children and moving 17 times. Upon graduation, George was commissioned in the USAF and went into pilot training. Learning to fly was a breeze, but the Air Forces' maximum height restriction kept him out of fighters for the time being. A series of squadron-level assignments in those early years gave him hands-on experience of how the Air Force operated at the grass roots and also afforded an opportunity to build up flying time. It was during those years that Elaine gave birth to their three children, each of whom would bring great joy and eventually six grandchildren. The year 1954 brought the first of several career changes. He had been chosen to return to West Point to teach in the Department of Social Sciences with a stopover at Georgetown University for a master's degree. The everyday experience of interacting with cadets and thinking and speaking on one's feet proved to be a lifelong asset in or out of uniform. At nearby Stewart Field, George got checked out in the T-33 jet trainer, a precursor to flying tactical fighters later in his career. The Pentagon was not one of his favorite venues, but he spent a total of eight years there, spread over two tours. His first tour started in Air Force Long Range Plans and culminated in his selection as a military assistant to the SecDef, who at the time was Robert McNamara. It was a ringside seat on DoD at the highest level, but it wasn't an assignment in which one could make a personal impact. In early 1966, as the air war in Vietnam was intensifying, George asked to be released so that he could pursue a combat tour. After F-4 combat crew training at MacDill AFB, FL, he arrived at Danang AB and soon took command of the 480th TFS. The F-4 was the Air Force' first line fighter. The missions were demanding, but it felt good to be on the first team. As this tour ended, he received orders to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. This assignment initiated a whole new career course direction into research and development of weapons acquisition at Eglin AFB, FL, where the Air Force conducts its development testing of new or modified hardware. He was Director of Test and Evaluation and was promoted to his first star. This led to his return to the Pentagon in 1970, where a mandate from SecDef to revitalize Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) took three years of hard work. Because of these efforts, today OT&E places squarely in the decision process. George was ready to move on to the capstone assignment of his career, eventual command of the Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. He considered this the best three-star job in the Air Force. The F-15, F-16, A-10, cruise missiles, the F-l 17 stealth fighter, and dozens of lesser-known systems were in various stages of development and production at the time. A workforce of over 8,000 military and civilians afforded him the opportunity to put all his leadership principles to the test. In 1979, George was reassigned to the Air Force System Command as Vice Commander. In that capacity his responsibilities included space, strategic ballistic missiles, and electronic and armament systems. On June 1, 1981, he retired from active duty after 32 years of commissioned service. After retirement George and Elaine moved to the Shenandoah Valley. There they bought a farm; raised llamas, chickens, sheep, and bees; and George found another calling. Shenandoah County was in transition from the 20th to the 21st century, and George got caught up in helping the elected officials plan for the future. It was all voluntary, but willingly, accepted. The Comprehensive Plan that bears his stamp and the Water Resources Advisory Committee which he created and chaired will long endure for Shenandoah County. In 2009, after spending many warm winters in Florida, they moved full time to Palm Beach Shores, FL. George was a devoted volunteer in the local community: president of Singer Island Rotary, board member of Riviera Beach Youth Build, nature walk leader at MacArthur Beach State Park, disaster relief volunteer for the Red Cross, mentor to a wounded warrior, and active member of Faith Lutheran Church in North Palm Beach. In June 2014, the family gathered to celebrate their 65 years of marriage, which included six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren-with more to come. He and Elaine were true partners, and he would credit her with bringing him a lifetime of happiness. On March 2, 2015, he succumbed to a 40-year battle with COPD. Rest in Peace great man, Air Force officer, and fighter pilot.

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