William James Shea
Military
http://www.reddog1944.com/RAST_97th%20BG%20414th%20BS.htm
National Archives
Object Number - UPL 39555 - B-17F-10-DL 42-2985 ‘Nut Cracker’ and crew. Then 1st Lt. Robert Rast is back center.
Sergeant. Shea flew 50 missions, he was originally with the 8th then transferred to 15th AAF and was stationed in Italy. He flew on 'The Nutcracker*. He was shot down on his 50th mission over Naples was captured by the fascists and consigned to Campo 66 new Capua, this camp was abandoned and he was moved to Campo 59 in Sevigliano where he escaped during a riot according to records. He was then put in Stalag 11B in 1943, 2 other camps in 1944. He was liberated by the Allies, on of whom was Sergeant. Kenneth Mayo, his cousin.
Purple Heart, Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, etc
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379318.jpg.webp?itok=n7iztoxa)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Nutcracker
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Worcester, Massachusetts | 20 February 1915 | |
|
Died |
3 December 1999 | ||
|
Buried |
Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / daughter
