Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient. Served as a Private First Class, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army. In the Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on May 14, 1969 PFC Shea was serving as a medical aid man for his platoon when a large enemy force in ambush positions opened fire with mortars, grenades and automatic weapons. Under a heavy crossfire, the platoon withdrew to a defensive perimeter. PFC Shea, seeing that a number of his comrades had fallen in the initial fire, dashed from the defensive position to assist the wounded. With disregard for his safety and braving the hostile fire, PFC Shea made 4 trips to tend wounded soldiers and to carry them to the safety of his platoon's position. Seeing a fifth wounded comrade in front of one of the enemy points, PFC Shea ran to his assistance. As he reached the wounded man, PFC Shea was grievously wounded. PFC Shea tended his wounded comrade and began to move him back to the safety of his own defensive perimeter. As he neared his platoon's position, PFC Shea was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy fire. His heroic actions saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers. His Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, campaign, and service medals were awarded posthumously and accredited to the state of Connecticut. His name is inscribed on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Panel 24W, Line 12.
Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient. Served as a Private First Class, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army. In the Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on May 14, 1969 PFC Shea was serving as a medical aid man for his platoon when a large enemy force in ambush positions opened fire with mortars, grenades and automatic weapons. Under a heavy crossfire, the platoon withdrew to a defensive perimeter. PFC Shea, seeing that a number of his comrades had fallen in the initial fire, dashed from the defensive position to assist the wounded. With disregard for his safety and braving the hostile fire, PFC Shea made 4 trips to tend wounded soldiers and to carry them to the safety of his platoon's position. Seeing a fifth wounded comrade in front of one of the enemy points, PFC Shea ran to his assistance. As he reached the wounded man, PFC Shea was grievously wounded. PFC Shea tended his wounded comrade and began to move him back to the safety of his own defensive perimeter. As he neared his platoon's position, PFC Shea was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy fire. His heroic actions saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers. His Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, campaign, and service medals were awarded posthumously and accredited to the state of Connecticut. His name is inscribed on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Panel 24W, Line 12.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Medal of Honor
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Vietnam
Family Members
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