Daniel John Shea

The database page for Daniel John Shea

When you go home, tell them of us and say, "We gave our tomorrow, for your today." The Kohima Epitaph

The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to Daniel John Shea Private First Class, United States Army for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. PFC Shea, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman with Company C, 3d Battalion, during a combat patrol mission. As the lead platoon of the company was crossing a rice paddy, a large enemy force in ambush positions opened fire with mortars, grenades and automatic weapons. Under heavy crossfire from 3 sides, the platoon withdrew to a small island in the paddy to establish a defensive perimeter. PFC Shea, seeing that a number of his comrades had fallen in the initial hail of fire, dashed from the defensive position to assist the wounded. With complete disregard for his safety and braving the intense hostile fire sweeping the open rice paddy, PFC Shea made 4 trips to tend wounded soldiers and to carry them to the safety of the platoon position. Seeing a fifth wounded comrade directly in front of one of the enemy strong points, PFC Shea ran to his assistance. As he reached the wounded man, PFC Shea was grievously wounded. Disregarding his welfare, PFC Shea tended his wounded comrade and began to move him back to the safety of the defensive perimeter. As he neared the platoon position, PFC Shea was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy fire. By his heroic actions PFC Shea saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers. PFC Shea's gallantry in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a fellow "Charger" medic, Bob (Doc) Kelly lib196bob@aol.com  29 Mar 2003

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 03/29/2003