George D. Shea

George David Shea was born in Augusta, Georgia on January 11, 1894, the son of William Thomas Shea and Joanna (Bodeker) Shea. He was educated in the schools of Augusta, and was a 1914 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County. While at the academy, Shea participated in its corps of cadets, in which he attained the rank of captain. In May 1912, Shea won the Augusta YMCA's annual drill and ceremony contest, and later that month he received the Levy medal for winning the academy's annual competition. He also competed for an appointment to the United States Naval Academy offered by Congressman Thomas W. Hardwick. He was selected for both, but chose not to accept either. Determined to begin his military career immediately, in 1915 he enlisted as a private in the United States Army's 1st Engineer Battalion. Shea served in the enlisted ranks until successfully applying for a commission, and he attained the rank of corporal. In addition to serving on the Mexico–United States border during the Pancho Villa Expedition, Shea was part of a team that carried out surveys of the Atlantic coast from Brunswick, Georgia to Charleston, South Carolina. ==World War I==

In early 1917, Shea took the examination for an army commission, and he attained a near perfect score of 99.05. In June 1917, he was appointed as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery. With the army expanding for World War I, Shea was promoted to first lieutenant on the same day he received his commission. He was wounded during the war, for which he later received the Purple Heart. After the war, Shea remained in Germany for post-war occupation duty as a member of American Forces in Germany. ==Post-World War I==

After returning to the United States, Shea served with the 15th Field Artillery Regiment at Camp Travis, Texas. In the 1920s and 1930s, the army encouraged polo playing, believing that the game taught teamwork and encouraged leaders to make rapid decisions under stress. Shea played on several teams fielded by the units to which he was assigned, and participated in several tournaments. Shea also participated in other army equestrian events, including show jumping. Shea was promoted to major in 1933. In 1936, he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Following completion of the staff college, Shea was assigned as director of the Department of Animal Transportation at the United States Army Field Artillery School. In 1940 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assigned as the 8th Infantry Division's assistant chief of staff for supply (G-4). In October 1941 he was assigned as the division's chief of staff and in December 1941 he received promotion to colonel. ==World War II==

In July 1942, Shea was promoted to brigadier general, and in August he was assigned as commander of the 90th Infantry Division Artillery, which he led during its initial organization and training. In September 1943, he assumed command of the 141st Field Artillery Brigade at Camp Gordon, Georgia. When the brigade was redesignated the XIX Corps Artillery, Shea continued in command and led the organization during its training at Camp Polk, Louisiana. After arrival in Europe in 1944 on D-Day plus 4, XIX Corps served on the Western Front until the end of the war in early 1945, and he led the corps artillery during combat as part of both First Army and Ninth Army. ==Post-World War II==

Shea returned to the United States in June 1945 and assumed command of the War Department Personnel Center at Jefferson Barracks Military Post, Missouri. In early 1949, Shea was assigned as deputy commander and chief of staff of the Philippines Command. In November 1949, Shea was assigned to the Presidio of San Francisco as commander of Sixth United States Army’s Central Sub-area. During this assignment, he received credit for developing and expanding the army's Psychological Operations training program. He retired from the military in January 1953. ==Awards==

Shea's awards and decorations included: • Army Distinguished Service Medal • Silver Star (2) • Legion of Merit (2) • Purple Heart • Bronze Star Medal (2) • Legion of Honor (Chevalier) (France) • Croix de Guerre with Palm (France) • Order of Orange-Nassau (Commander) (Netherlands) ==Retirement and death==

In retirement, Shea was a resident of Coral Gables, Florida. He died in Coral Gables on January 13, 1971. He was buried at the Main Post Cemetery at Fort Benning, Georgia. ==Family==

In 1934, Shea became the husband of Edna Manheim (1908–1976). They were the parents of a son, George David Shea Jr. (1939–1992). ==References==