Samuel Robert Shaw (June 6, 1911 – April 4, 1989) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted for his service as commanding officer, 6th Pioneer Battalion during Battle of Okinawa. Shaw later served as advisor to President John F. Kennedy in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Shaw was also a member of so-called "Chowder Society", special Marine Corps Board, which was tasked to conduct research and prepare material relative to postwar legislation concerning the role of the Marine Corps in national defense.
Early career
Samuel R. Shaw was born on June 6, 1911, in Cleveland, Ohio, as the son of William Henry and Ella Kenner Shaw. He attended the high school in Dayton, Ohio, and entered the Marine Corps service in September 1928 and following boot camp, he served two years as enlisted man until he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in July 1930. During his time at the academy, Shaw was active in football, basketball and track.
Many of his classmates became general officers later: Henry W. Buse Jr., Victor H. Krulak, Ralph K. Rottet, Frank C. Tharin, Robert J. Stroh, Gordon Chung-Hoon, John P. Condon, John F. Flynn, Ronald W. Gladney Jr., James H. Howard, Frank B. Miller, George R. Over, Henry G. Sanchez, George C. Seay, Raymond N. Sharp, Arthur F. Spring, Harold O. Deakin, Robert E. Hommel, John W. Sapp Jr., John E. Weber and Samuel F. Zeiler.
He graduated on May 31, 1934, and was commissioned second lieutenant on the same date. As any other newly commissioned marine officer, he was ordered to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for additional officer training, which he completed in June of the following year. Shaw was then attached to the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Tuscaloosa and participated in Fleet Problem XVII, taking place off the west coast of the United States, Central America, and the Panama Canal Zone.
Shaw was transferred to Marine Corps Base Quantico in June 1936 and joined 5th Marine Regiment. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in July 1937 and temporarily detached from the regiment to complete the Army Ordnance Field Service School at Raritan Arsenal, Metuchen, New Jersey. Upon the completion of the school, Shaw rejoined 5th Marines and also served with the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Teams, which he later commanded at the Rifle Range, Cape May, New Jersey, from March to August 1939.
He subsequently attended the Junior Course at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, which he completed in June 1940. Following his graduation, he was promoted to the rank of captain and commanded Rifle and Pistol Team.
World War II
Shaw sailed for Pearl Harbor in October 1940 and assumed duty as Commander of Company A at Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard under Colonel Gilder D. Jackson. He was present during the Japanese attack on the Harbor on December 7, 1941, and participated in the anti-aircraft defense. Shaw was promoted to major in May 1942 and to lieutenant colonel in April 1943.
Captain Shaw later described the events of Japanese attack as following:
He was transferred to the staff of Fleet Marine Force, San Diego area and served as assistant chief of staff for operations and training under major generals Holland Smith and Clayton B. Vogel successively. Shaw was later ordered to the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, which he completed in October 1944. He departed for the Pacific area the following month and joined Commanding officer, 6th Marine Division under Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. at Guadalcanal.
Shaw assumed command of 6th Pioneer Battalion and after few months of training, he sailed for Okinawa in March 1945 and after few weeks in staging area at Ulithi, a little atoll in the Caroline Islands, he led his unit ashore on April 1, 1945. The 6th Pioneer battalion was responsible for the securing of the logistical support on time, because arrival of supplies and equipment on landing beaches piled high and could lead to congestion and confusion. Shaw distinguished himself in this capacity and received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his work.