James Vernon "Vernon" Shaw 1920-1943

SHAW, SUNDE, OLSON, OLSEN, LARSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/8/2014 at 22:40:13

Sgt. Vernon Shaw Missing
Radio Operator on “Fortress”; Base in Britain
Official Telegram Received by Parents
Tech. Sgt. Vernon Shaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Shaw of Estherville, was officially reported as missing in action in a telegram received today by the Shaws for the adjutant general.

The telegram said: “Regret to inform you that the commanding general of the European area reports your son, Technical Sergeant James V. Shaw missing in action since May 19. If further details or information of his status are received you will be promptly notified.”

Left U.S. March 16
Shaw left the United States March 16, and went to South America. From there he was sent to Africa and his parents heard from him while he was there. He later was stationed in England and it is believed that he has been on missions operating from England. The last letter Mr. and Mrs. Shaw received from their son was dated May 9 and was received from them May 16.

Sergeant Shaw, a radio operator on a Flying Fortress, took training at Scott Field, Ill., in air corps radio work. He also was stationed at Sheppard Field, Tex., Rapid City, S.D., Pocatello, Idaho, Casper, Wyo., and Salina, Kans.

2 Brothers in Service
Before leaving this country Shaw was home on leave to visit his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have two other sons in service, Pfc. Lyle Shaw at Lincoln, Neb., and Candidate Clarence Shaw who is located at Fort Benning, Ga. Clarence Shaw is expected to visit next week in Estherville. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, May 27, 1943)

Vernon Shaw is Reported Killed May 19
His Parents Receive Official Telegram
Technical Sergeant Vernon Shaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Shaw, was killed in action May 19, according to a telegram received today by the Shaws from the war department.

Sergeant Shaw was reported missing in action May 27, and the Shaws have had no word concerning their son until the receipt of the telegram this morning.

Telegram Received
The telegram said:
“Report received from the German government through the international Red Cross that your son, Technical Sergeant James V. Shaw, who was previously reported missing since May 19, was killed in action May 19 in the European area. The secretary of war extends his deep sympathy. Letter follows.”

The communication was signed by the adjutant general.

Sergeant Shaw, a radio operator on a flying fortress, took training at Scott Field, Ill., and also was stationed at Sheppard Field, Texas; Rapid City, S.D.; Pocatello, Idaho; Casper, Wyo.; and Salina, Kans.

In Africa, England.
Sergeant Shaw entered the army in January, 1941, and was sent to South America, March 16. From there he went to Africa and later was transferred to England. It is believed that he had been on bombing missions, operating out of England.

The last letter the Shaws had from their son was written May 9 and was received by them, May 16.

Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have two other sons in service, Pfc. Lyle Shaw and Lieut. Clarence Shaw. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 10, 1943)

Parents Learn of Death of Vernon Shaw
Lost in Action May 19
Sgt. Shaw Was Radio Operator On Flying Fortress; Was Last Reported As Stationed in England
Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Shaw received official word Tuesday from the government telling him of the death of their son, Technical Sgt. Vernon Shaw. He was killed in action May 19. He was previously reported as missing.

This is the first word the Shaws have had concerning their son since he was reported missing May 19. He was stationed in England at the time of his death and had been in England since the latter part of March. He had been on bombing missions operating out of England.

Sgt. Shaw was a radio operator on a flying fortress. He received his training at Scott Field, Ill. in the air corps radio school. He was also stationed at Sheppard Field, Texas; Rapid City, South Dakota; Pocatello, Idaho; Casper, Wyoming and Salina, Kansas.

He left the United States March 6 and was sent to South America. From South America he went to Africa and was later stationed in England. Sgt. Shaw entered the armed services in January 1941.

The last letter received by the Shaws was dated May 9.

Sgt. Shaw was home on furlough the first part of February. He is survived by four brothers, Pfc. Lyle Shaw, Lieut. Clarence Shaw, and Everett and Joseph at home, and a sister, Mrs. Larson of Fort Dodge and his parents. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, August 12, 1943)

Organizations Will Meet To Go To Service
Patriotic Groups To Join In Honoring War Hero
Several patriotic organizations of the city will meet tomorrow afternoon to attend memorial services for Technical Sergeant James Vernon Shaw which are being held in the Estherville Lutheran church.

War Dads are asked to meet at the city hall at 2 p.m. All members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars are requested to meet at 2 p.m. in the city hall.

Members of the Service Star Legion are asked to meet at 2:45 at the Estherville Lutheran church.

All United Service Women are asked to meet at 2:45 at the Lutheran church and to attend the memorial services.

Members of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliaries also will meet at 2 p.m. in the Legion club rooms and will attend the services.

All service men on furlough are asked to act as honorary pallbearers and if able to attend the services should contact Lewis Salyers. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 28, 1943)

Gold Star On Service Flag Honors Shaw
Many Present at Memorial Service
A gold star was placed on an Estherville Lutheran Church service flag yesterday at memorial ceremonies held for Tech Sgt. James Vernon Shaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Shaw. Two of his brothers, Lieut. C.M. Shaw and Pfc. L.H. Shaw and his sister, Mrs. J.A. Larsen, affixed the star to the service flag which hangs at the front of the church.

Following several musical selections by Mrs. Everett Shaw played on the church organ, members of the Shaw family were seated in the places reserved for them. The colors were presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Organizations Present
Patriotic organizations present at the Memorial service were members of the Veterans of Foreign War and Legion Color Guard, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, War Dads, Auxiliaries to both the Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Service Star Legion and United Service Women.

The Rev. L.A. Mathre, of the Estherville Lutheran church, presented the memorial sermon. The Rev. L.O. Sunde of Storden, Minn., brother of Mrs. Shaw and Pfc. Lyle Shaw gave short talks.

Jennie and Josephine Handeland sang a duet, “Jesus Lover of My Soul.” The Estherville Lutheran church quartet, composed of Everett Shaw, Jennie and Josephine Handeland and Lloyd Handeland sang “Rock of Ages.”

Flowers and Memorial Gifts
Several baskets of flowers were on the platform of the church.

Memorials of money were given by members of the church and the Shaw family to be used for missions.

Technical Sergeant Shaw, son of Mrs. and Mrs. C.E. Shaw, was killed in action May 19, according to a telegram receive Aug. 10 by the Shaw family from the war department. [next paragraph repeats previous assignments.]

Members of Family Present
Members of the Shaw family present yesterday were Mr. and Mrs. Carl Shaw, Mrs. J.A. Larson of Fort Dodge; Lieut. Clarence M. Shaw of Camp Roberts, Calif.; Pfc. Lyle Shaw, who is stationed at Lincoln, Neb.; Je and Everett Shaw of Estherville; the Rev. and Mrs. L.O. Sunde and their two children of Storden, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Shaw and family of Fort Dodge; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Sunde of Triumph, Minn., and many relatives and friends of Ruthven, Ringsted and Dolliver. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 30, 1943)

Memorial Services Held Sunday for Sgt. Vernon Shaw
Memorial services were held Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Estherville Lutheran church for Tech. Sgt. James Vernon Shaw who was killed in action May 19, in the European war theatre.

The Rev. L.A. Mathre delivered the sermon. The gospel quartet sang and a duet was sung by Jennie and Josephine Handeland.

Sgt. Shaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Shaw of Estherville, was reported as missing in action May 27. No further word was received about him until August 10 when they received word from the war department telling them that their son was killed in action.

Sgt. Shaw was a radio operator on a Flying Fortress. He left the United States and went to South America March 16. From there he went to Africa and then to England.

A gold star will be put in the church flag honoring him. All patriotic organizations are invited to attend the services. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, September 2, 1943)