On May 12, 1944, near Mount Damiano, Italy, Second Lieutenant Charles William Shea of New York City displayed unparalleled courage that would earn him the nation’s highest military honor—the Medal of Honor.
Shea enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1942 and was serving with Company F, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division during the brutal Italian campaign. Amid fierce combat, he fearlessly advanced alone and neutralized three enemy machine gun nests, saving countless lives and turning the tide of battle for his unit.
Following the war, Shea continued his service by joining the New York National Guard in 1949. He rose through the ranks and retired as a colonel in 1972. A true American hero, Charles William Shea passed away in 1994 at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of valor and dedication.