Charles W. Shea

Biography Shea was raised in the Bronx, New York City. While still attending high school, he worked at Yankee Stadium selling cold drinks and peanuts. After graduation, he worked as a mechanic at a refrigeration plant. and by May 12, 1944, he was serving as a staff sergeant in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. Shea was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on January 12, 1945. The medal was presented to him by Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark on January 17, 1945 during an 88th Infantry Division awards ceremony in Montecatini, Italy.

Shea remained on active duty until July 20, 1945. As a lieutenant colonel, he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry in 1966. He was buried next to his wife Kathleen in Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York, on April 11, 1994.

Medal of Honor citation Shea's official Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, on 12 May 1944, near Mount Damiano, Italy. As 2d Lt. Shea and his company were advancing toward a hill occupied by the enemy, three enemy machine guns suddenly opened fire, inflicting heavy casualties upon the company and halting its advance. 2d Lt. Shea immediately moved forward to eliminate these machine-gun nests in order to enable his company to continue its attack. The deadly hail of machine-gun fire at first pinned him down, but boldly continuing his advance, 2d Lt. Shea crept up to the first nest. Throwing several hand grenades, he forced the four enemy soldiers manning this position to surrender, and disarming them, he sent them to the rear. He then crawled to the second machine-gun position, and after a short firefight forced two more German soldiers to surrender. At this time, the third machine gun fired at him, and while deadly small-arms fire pitted the earth around him, 2d Lt. Shea crawled toward the nest. Suddenly he stood up and rushed the emplacement and with well-directed fire from his rifle, he killed all three of the enemy machine gunners. Second Lt. Shea's display of personal valor was an inspiration to the officers and men of his company."