Charles William Shea

Three German machine guns stopped Company F's advance near Mount Damiano, Italy, on 12 May 1944. Staff Sergeant Charles William "Red" Shea led his squad forward through a minefield and attacked the enemy positions alone. His extraordinary courage helped reopen the advance and earned him the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration.

Born in the Bronx, New York, on 24 August 1921, Shea entered the United States Army in July 1942. During World War II, he served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. Near Mount Damiano, three German machine guns opened fire on his advancing company, inflicting heavy casualties and bringing the attack to a halt. Shea moved forward under intense fire, using hand grenades to force the first machine-gun crew of four German soldiers to surrender. He then reached the second position and forced two more soldiers to surrender. When the third machine gun opened fire, he continued advancing, rushed the emplacement and killed all three machine gunners with rifle fire. His actions restored the company's momentum and inspired the men around him.

The Army recognized his extraordinary courage through War Department General Orders No. 4, dated 12 January 1945, awarding him the Medal of Honor. The official citation praised his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. The Medal of Honor was presented by Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark at Montecatini, Italy. Although the official citation identifies Shea as Second Lieutenant, contemporary regimental reporting confirms that he was a Staff Sergeant during the May 1944 action and received a battlefield commission on 21 October 1944.

Shea continued his military career after World War II, serving in the New York National Guard. His postwar service extended into the 1970s. His final rank requires reconciliation between records listing Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel. He died in Plainview, New York, on 7 April 1994, and was buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale. His story remains a powerful example of initiative, courage and responsibility toward fellow soldiers under fire.