David Carey Shanks

David C. Shanks (April 6, 1861 – April 10, 1940) was a career officer in the United States Army. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he attained the rank of major general, and was a veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and World War I. He was most notable for his command of the Hoboken Port of Embarkation and 16th Division during the first World War, and was a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal and Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Early life David Cary Shanks Jr. was born in Salem, Virginia, on April 6, 1861, a son of David C. Shanks (1825–1900) and Sarah Medora (Boone) Shanks (1829–1914). The elder Shanks was an American Civil War veteran of the Confederate States Army and attained the rank of colonel.

The younger Shanks was educated in Salem and attended Roanoke College, from which he graduated in 1879. He then attended the United States Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1884 ranked 33rd of 37.

Early career Shanks was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry.

Post-World War I

In April 1920, Shanks was assigned to command the 5th Division at Camp Gordon, Georgia.

Shanks died in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 1940. Christened in 1943, Shanks was used to move soldiers and equipment during World War II and the Korean War. Named for Shanks, it was located near Orangetown, New York, and used as an embarkation center for soldiers preparing to depart for service overseas. After the war, it was used as a processing center for prisoners of war who were returning to their home countries. Camp Shanks closed in 1946 and was used as housing for veterans until it was dismantled in 1954. Much of the site was later subsumed by construction of the Palisades Interstate Parkway and Tappan Zee Bridge. In June 1994, a museum to commemorate Camp Shanks opened in Orangetown.

In addition to his military awards, in 1921 Shanks received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Roanoke College.

Family In October 1893, Shanks married Nancy Wright Chapman (1868–1954). They were the parents of two daughters, Katherine (1894–1960), the wife of United States Navy Captain William E. Malloy, and Sarah (1896–1975), the wife of General Stephen J. Chamberlin.