We came back right over the World Trade Center and could see, even from that altitude, the devastation, the smoke that was coming up. It was obvious it was going to be horrible.

North Carolina Highway 122 which runs through Speed to Hobgood North Carolina (right past the homestead he was raised on) was later named "General Henry Hugh Shelton Hwy" in his honor. His book also says there were multiple attempts to kill Osama bin Laden that were shot down by Madeleine Albright. Shelton's further education includes a master's degree in political science from Auburn University at Montgomery in 1973 as well as studies at the Air Command and Staff College and the National War College.

He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001.