William A. Shunk

Awards Shunk's awards included:

Indian Campaign Medal Spanish Campaign Medal Army of Cuban Occupation Medal Philippine Campaign Medal Mexican Service Medal World War I Victory Medal Mexican Border Service Medal, 1916-1917 (Alabama)

Additional accolades During Frederick Funston's Philippine–American War expedition to prevent war supplies from reaching China during the Boxer Rebellion of 1899 to 1901, he placed Shunk in charge of operations in the Philippine city of Baler, Aurora. In his memoirs, Funston recounted Shunk's success at curbing Baler's support to the Chinese rebels by jokingly referring to him as "King Shunk the First."

In 1911, Shunk was commended by the United States Secretary of War for his performance of duty while at Camp Harry J. Jones, Arizona during the Mexican Border War. In his letter, Jacob M. Dickinson praised Shunk's tact and good judgment for not crossing the U.S.–Mexico border during fighting by Mexican government troops and rebels led by Francisco Madero during the First Battle of Agua Prieta. (US troops did respond after Mexican government troops attacked soldiers on the U.S. side of the border.)

Dates of rank Shunk's dates of rank were:

Second Lieutenant, 13 June 1879 First Lieutenant, 23 June 1885 Captain, 5 October 1892 Major (United States Volunteers), 19 May 1898 Captain, 13 March 1899 Major (United States Volunteers), 5 July 1899 Captain, 17 April 1901 Major, 28 June 1902 Lieutenant Colonel, 20 November 1908. Colonel, 2 August 1915 Colonel (Retired), 23 December 1921