Stark County flags flying at half-staff for WW II veteran Pete Shaw Jr.

The Repository
·2 min read
1
World War II veteran Pete Shaw, center, of North Canton, visited the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, in 2019 as France marked the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. (AP Photo/Rafael Yaghobzadeh)
World War II veteran Pete Shaw, center, of North Canton, visited the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, in 2019 as France marked the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. (AP Photo/Rafael Yaghobzadeh)

CANTON − Flags are flying at half-staff in Stark County today and Thursday in memory of the late Harry "Pete" Shaw Jr., a World War II veteran who died on Dec. 9.

He was 98.

County commissioners received permission from the governor's office to order flags in the county to be flown at half-staff.

A native of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Shaw enlisted in the Army at 17 after being turned away from the Navy prior to graduating. He served in the 283rd Field Artillery. On June 6, 1944, his battalion took part in the invasion of Utah Brach at Normandy, France, during the historic Allied offensive known as "D-Day," one of the largest invasions in modern history.

More than 160,000 Allied troops took part in the operation, which helped turned the tide for victory in Europe.

Paying tribute to veterans:Mission BBQ honors local WWII vets

Shaw served under Gen. George S. Patton throughout Northern France, the Rhineland, and central Europe and helped rescue the 101st Airborne when it was surrounded by the Germans at Bastogne in the Battle of the Bulge.

Shaw also was one of the first soldiers to free prisoners at the Dachau concentration camp. The battalion was with 15 different infantry divisions by the end of the war.

As a member of the 283rd field Artillery Battalion, Shaw was awarded the Presidential Unit citation, and four Battle Stars for Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe, and the Rhineland. He also received the French Legion of Honor and French La Guardierre medals.

In 2019, Shaw was among a group of veterans who returned to Normandy on the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Back to the beaches:North Canton vet returns to Normandy

The Mission BBQ restaurant helped World War II veterans Harry "Pete" Shaw Jr., left, and Ralph Dunnerstick celebrate their birthdays in 2021. Shaw, 98, died on Dec. 9.
The Mission BBQ restaurant helped World War II veterans Harry "Pete" Shaw Jr., left, and Ralph Dunnerstick celebrate their birthdays in 2021. Shaw, 98, died on Dec. 9.

In his later years, Shaw became a fixture at Mission BBQ, a veteran-themed restaurant in Jackson Township which includes a place of honor for him. He last visited the restaurant on Dec. 7.

Shaw is preceded in death by his wife, Edith; son, Skip, who died on Nov. 29; and daughters Natalie and Marilyn.

He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Shaw of Hartville, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandson.

A funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Little Flower Catholic Church in Plain Township. Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Shaw's honor to the Best Defense Foundation, 249 Highway 16, Suite 321, Solana Beach, California, 92075.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County flags at half-staff to honor World War II vet Pete Shaw