The Honorable Claude M. Bolton, Jr., DSc

• Executive-In-Residence for the Defense Acquisition University (DAU)
• Former Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASAALT)
• Retired Major General in the United States Air Force (USAF)

On July 28, 2015, The Honorable Claude Bolton passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

The Honorable Claude M. Bolton, Jr. became the Executive-In-Residence for the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) on January 3, 2008. In this position, Mr. Bolton supported the DAU president, faculty and students with strategic planning, courses development and mentoring. Mr. Bolton’s primary focus was assisting the DAU president to achieve the Congressional direction to recruit, retain, train and educate the DOD acquisition workforce. In addition, Mr. Bolton was an independent management consultant specializing in DOD program management providing his expertise to DOD organizations and the defense industry.

Prior to becoming the DAU Executive-In-Residence, Mr. Bolton served as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASAALT). As the ASA (ALT), Mr. Bolton served as the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE), the Senior Procurement Executive, and the Science Advisor to the Secretary. Mr. Bolton was also the senior research and development official for the Department of the Army, and had principal responsibility for all Department of the Army matters related to logistics.

While the ASAALT/AAE, Mr. Bolton led the execution of the Army’s acquisition function and acquisition management system. His responsibilities included providing oversight for the life cycle management and sustainment of Army weapons systems and equipment, from research and development through test, evaluation, acquisition, logistics, fielding, and disposition. In addition, Mr. Bolton oversaw the Elimination of Chemical Weapons Program, and had oversight and executive authority over the Project and Contracting Office charged with Iraq reconstruction. Mr. Bolton was responsible for appointing, managing, and evaluating program executive officers as well as managing the Army Acquisition Corps and Army Acquisition Workforce. A veteran of more than thirty years of active military service, Mr. Bolton retired as a Major General in the United States Air Force (USAF) following a highly decorated career. Some highlights of Mr. Bolton’s USAF service include serving as the Commander, Air Force Security Assistance Center, where he managed foreign military sales programs with totals exceeding $90 billion that supported more than 80 foreign countries; serving as a test pilot for the F-4, F-111, and F-16; Program Executive Officer for the Air Force Fighter and Bomber programs; and the first Program Manager for the Advance Tactical Fighter Technologies program, which evolved into the F-22 System Program Office. An experienced command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours in more than 40 different aircraft including Army helicopters; during the Vietnam War he flew 232 combat missions, 40 over North Vietnam. Mr. Bolton served as commandant of the Defense Systems Management College, as special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, and as Inspector General and director of requirements at Air Force Materiel Command headquarters.

Mr. Bolton received his USAF commission in 1969 through the University of Nebraska’s Air Force ROTC Program, where he was a distinguished graduate. Mr. Bolton’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska; a Master’s degree in management from Troy State University; and a Master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. In July 2006, he was awarded a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree from Cranfield University in England. In May 2007, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), his alma mater. Mr. Bolton was the inaugural chair of the University of Nebraska’s Space, Cyber and Telecommunications Law Program Advisory Board. The UNL is the only U.S. University offering a LLM degree in this area of growing importance. Mr. Bolton was a member of several corporate boards and held membership in the National Museum of the United States Air Force Foundation Board of Managers, the Software Engineering Institute Board of Advisors, the Air Force Studies Board, and the National Contract Management Association.

His numerous military awards included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Mr. Bolton was an avid marathon runner having completed over 30 in the last twenty years. In 2011, he finished fourth in his age group in all four of his national level races.

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