WASHINGTON –
Former DIA Deputy Director RADM Edward Sheafer passed away June 27. He was a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, born Nov. 27, 1940. He is survived by his former wife and friend, Enid Suzanne Sheafer, daughters Elisabeth Hensley and Lesley Hargreaves, and three grandchildren. His private inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
During his time at DIA, Sheafer served as the Director of Naval Intelligence from April 1991 to Sept. 1994. From 1990-1991 he was appointed as the DIA’s deputy director, much in respect to his previous experience as the deputy director for Joint Chiefs of Staff Support in 1988, and his stint as the acting director of intelligence for the JCS Directorate for Intelligence (J2) in 1989.
His career with DIA was preceded by his time in the U.S. Navy. Commissioned Ensign June 6, 1962, Sheafer went on to serve honorably in multiple facets, including as a Soviet submarine analyst, commanding officer of the USS Persistent and eventually landed in Washington, D.C., in the 1970’s.
Throughout his many tours of service and tireless work in the U.S. intelligence community, Shaefer earned awards to include the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal given to him by the director of DIA, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, as well as many other awards and commendations.