THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Distinguished Service Cross citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever.

Sgt Shaw was my "shake and bake" Sgt in Infantry School, Fort Jackson, SC, D-!!-3. He was competent, kind and fair and our training squad thought the world of him. I have thought of him every 6-Aug when the world lost a great human being who only wanted to get out of the Army when his tour was done and go home and marry Judy.

I was Bill's Platoon Leader that day. It is a yesterday that never goes away. Bill gave up his life to save others, including me. He was a great soldier and is missed. Thank you for your service and sacrifice

Dear Sgt William Shaw, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is another new year. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant William Frederick Shaw, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Sergeant Shaw distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 August 1970 while serving as a machine gunner during allied reconnaissance operations in Binh Duong Province. As darkness approached on 6 August 1970, Sergeant Shaw manned his machine gun position at the edge of a bomb crater while the remainder of the company prepared their positions nearby. Suddenly a friendly observation post, located approximately twenty meters from the sergeant, was raked by a volley of enemy fire, wounding one of the observers. Because of the proximity of his position to the besieged allies, Sergeant Shaw could not provide effective counter fire without endangering them. Realizing immediate action was essential, the sergeant secured his machine gun and assaulted the enemy forces, firing his weapon as he advanced. Although wounded by the enemy fire that was now directed almost entirely at him, he never faltered in his advance and continued firing at the enemy until he was fatally wounded soon thereafter. Because of his determined actions, the remainder of the company was able to successfully react to the enemy force and insure the relative safety of the allied observers. Sergeant Shaw's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, 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 United States Army.