Early Years in Seneca

Robert Wesley “Bob” Shaw was born January 10, 1920, in Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas. The only son of Ella Shaw (later Mrs. Milton Hawley), he grew up in a small-town world of school, work, and family on North 6th Street. Friends remembered him as steady, polite, and mechanically minded—traits that would serve him well once the nation went to war.

“Men Soon to Go”: Induction from Nemaha County (April 1942)

In April 1942, as local draft boards filled heavy quotas, Bob’s name appeared among 32 Nemaha County men slated for early induction. On April 20 a second April contingent—23 in all—departed by bus from Seneca to Fort Leavenworth. Farewells at the city hall filled the room with neighbors, music, and prayer, a scene repeated in small towns across America as ordinary lives gave way to wartime service.

Artillery Training at Fort Sill

Shaw’s first assignment placed him with the Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma—Battery C, 28th Battalion, 7th Training Regiment. Letters home in late 1942 found him briefly on leave in Seneca and hopeful of transferring to the Army Air Forces. The pull of flight training had become irresistible for thousands of young soldiers; Bob was one of them.

Earning Silver Wings at Luke Field

His transfer came through. At Luke Field near Phoenix, Arizona, Bob advanced through the demanding stages of Army Air Forces pilot training. On November 5, 1943, he graduated, receiving his wings and a commission as a flight officer. A brief visit home followed, then orders overseas late that month. In England he continued to hone his skills, now within a troop carrier command that flew the rugged Douglas C-47 Skytrain—workhorse of airborne operations. By August 1944 he had been promoted to second lieutenant.

Troop Carrier Duty in England

Assigned within the 61st Troop Carrier Group, Shaw learned the intricacies of formation flying, glider tow procedures, and low-level navigation under fire. Troop carrier pilots had to be both precise and calm: they hauled paratroopers and supplies, towed CG-4A gliders full of infantry and equipment, and often released those gliders at night or under flak, a few hundred feet from enemy lines. In letters and brief mentions back home, Bob emerged as a capable young pilot serving far from Kansas, yet closely followed by family and friends who clipped every article.

Operation Market Garden: The Last Mission (September 18, 1944)

On September 18, 1944—the second day of Operation Market Garden—Lt. Shaw served as co-pilot of a C-47 towing a glider toward the Groesbeek landing zone near the German border. Heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire struck the aircraft. The crew jettisoned the glider and bailed out. All four parachuted safely.

Radio operator S/Sgt. Robert E. Callahan evaded with Dutch help and later returned to duty.
Pilot 1st Lt. Ralph L. McClintock and crew chief T/Sgt. Allen Christal, along with co-pilot Lt. Shaw, were captured near the Kruezhof farm outside Kranenburg, Germany.

McClintock later wrote to Bob’s mother, enclosing Bob’s wallet that German guards had curiously handed him during processing. He described seeing Shaw and Christal alive, uninjured, and seated beside him in a barn before all three were separated for interrogation. He was told Shaw and Christal would follow; he never saw them again.

Missing in Action

Back in Kansas, the Courier-Tribune and Sabetha Herald carried the grim notice: Lt. Robert Shaw had been missing in action since September 18. In March 1945 the War Department informed Mrs. Hawley that Bob’s transport had been hit within two miles of its objective near Groesbeek—news that offered a sliver of hope he might be a prisoner. Postwar searches in 1946–49, however, failed to locate him or Christal. In September 1945 the government issued a finding of death.

A Long Shadow, A Long Search (1946–1958)

For more than a decade the family lived with uncertainty. Investigators interviewed witnesses, checked graves, and combed battlefields across the German-Dutch frontier. McClintock—who had spent the remainder of the war as a POW—petitioned for information through the International Red Cross. Nothing turned up. As years passed, the family’s hope narrowed to a single wish: that someday his fate would be known and his remains brought home.

In April 1958, the British Imperial War Graves Commission notified U.S. authorities that human remains—American by uniform fragments and personal effects—had been recovered from a culvert on the Kruezhof farm, the same place McClintock had described. Forensic work in Frankfurt and careful correlation with unit records, testimonies, and locations led to a conclusion: the commingled remains were those of Lt. Robert W. Shaw and T/Sgt. Allen Christal.

Home to Kansas: Honors and Burial (August 1959)

In mid-August 1959, fourteen years after the mission, the remains of Shaw and Christal arrived in Kansas. On August 17, the Army accorded full military honors and a group burial at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. Shaw’s sisters traveled from California to stand with step-father Milton Hawley and a circle of Seneca friends who had watched a quiet local boy become a wartime pilot. The service closed a long, painful chapter, replacing uncertainty with a final place of rest.

Decorations and Commemoration

Second Lieutenant Robert W. Shaw received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. For many years his name also appeared on the Tablets of the Missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten; following the 1959 identification and re-interment, his grave is marked at Fort Leavenworth (Section M, Site 709), with a cenotaph remaining at Margraten.

Legacy

Robert Shaw’s story is the story of countless young Americans who left small Midwestern towns for the vastness of a global war. He trained first with artillery, then fought the air war as a C-47 pilot—work that demanded skill, nerve, and self-possession at low altitude under fire. Captured after a successful bailout, he disappeared into the chaos of occupation forces and interrogation rooms, one more life swallowed by the fog of war. The discovery on the Kruezhof farm and his return to Kansas finally granted his family the certainty they deserved and his community a place to remember him.

Today, when Seneca honors its World War II dead, the name Robert Wesley Shaw evokes not only courage in the air but also the endurance of a family and a hometown that waited, searched, and ultimately welcomed him home.

SOURCES

Courier Tribune

16 Apr 1942

page 1

List Men Soon to Go

Part had Finals

Took Pre-Induction Exams; Others Yet To Take Last Physicals

Names of 32 men who are in line for early induction into service, were obtained yesterday at the draft office.

Some 18 or 20 of these men have had pre-induction exams and will go directly into the army. They are the last of those so examined under the old pre-induction plan.

The rest will have their final physicals at Ft. Leavenworth and if they pass, will be taken immediately into the army, which is the plan now effective.

The men about to go are:

Charles McMahon, Goff

Albert Kreutzman, Baileyville

Wm. Arthur Hoffman, Centralia

Alvin Francis Huber, Bern

Paul Ehlers, Sabetha

George Hunninghake, Baileyville

Robert Mitchell, Axtell

Ross Edgar George, Wetmore

Donald Winkler, Seneca

Eugene Milne, Oneida

Robert Shaw, Seneca

Lloyd Smith, Centralia

Albert Herneteh, Goff

Walter Wichman, Seneca

Marcellus Boeding, Seneca

LeRoy Myers, Sabetha

Russell Coe, Corning

Andrew Grollmes, Goff

Aloysius Kongs, Centralia

Paul Hiltibrand, Corning

Leland Strahm, Sabetha

Leonard Oenbring, Baileyville

Harry Tryon, Robinson, reg. Sabetha.

Leo Schmelzle, Seneca

Wm. H. Miller, Corning

Albert Moynagh, Seneca

Fred Stuke, Seneca

Lawrence Dalsing, Oneida

Gale Althouse, Sabetha

Vernon Schneider, Seneca

Raymond McKee, Seneca

John Niehues, Goff

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Courier Tribune

20 Apr 1942

page 1

AND MORE

TO ARMY

23 LEFT YESTERDAY

The Nemaha County Quotas Heavy for Month of April

The army is really taking young men from Nemaha county. Yesterday saw the second-quota of the month leave, 23 men taking bus at Seneca for Ft. Leavenworth. Of these, 22 were men who had registered in Nemaha county, one was a transfer.

Transfer was Geo. Crane, former Senecan, who had registered at Avoca, Iowa, but wanted to leave from here. The county has transferred one man out of the county, so breaks even. Harry Tryon, Robinson, who registered at Sabetha, was transferred to Brown county for induction.

Vincent Tangeman, who was to have been called yesterday, has enlisted in the navy:

Joy Meyer, Oneida, who waș in the last call but had mumps, was able to leave; with the group yesterday.

The men were Donald Winkler, Robert Shaw, Walter. Wichman, Marcellus Boeding, Seneca, and George Crane, the former Senecan; Charles McMahon, Andrew H. Grollmes and Albert Hermesch, Goff; Albert Kruetzman, Leonard Oenbring and George Bernard Huniinghake, Baileyville; William Arthur Hoffman, Lloyd Smith, Aloysius Kongs, Centralia; Robert John Mitchell, Axtell; Alvin Huber, Bern; Paul Ehlers, LeRoy Glen Myers and Leland Strahm, Sabetha; Ross Edgar George, Wetmore; Eugene Milne and Joy Meyer, Oneida; Russell Albert Coe, Corning.

George Hunninghake of Baileyville and Leland Strahm, Sabetha, were the third in each of their families to join the service.

A farewell was given at the city hall weather not being favorable for an outdoor gathering. The hall was thronged. The band played, introductions, were made by R. M. Emery, Jr., and an inspirational talk was given by Father Matthew Hall, O. S. B.

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Courier Tribune

28 May 1942

page 1

Private Robert Shaw, Seneca inductee, has this address: Battery C, 28th Battalion, 7th Training regiment, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

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Courier Tribune

14 Dec 1942

page 3

Pvt. Bob Shaw, Ft. Sill, Okla., visited his mother, Mrs. Milton Hawley and other relatives, Saturday and Sunday. Bob hopes to be transferred to the air corps for training.

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Courier Tribune

8 Nov 1943

page 1

With the Armed Forces

Flight Officer Bob Shaw is visiting his mother, Mrs. Milton Hawley, and other relatives this week. Bob recently graduated from pilot school at Luke field, Phoenix, Ariz. and is the pilot of a single motor fighter plane. HE will return to Luke field next Sunday.

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Courier Tribune

24 April 1944

page 2

Corp. Max B Murphy, on leave in England, met Bob Shaw, son of Mrs. Milton Hawley, Seneca. Bob told Max that he was the first Seneca boy he had met overseas. Max’s APO number is changed to 557. Bob Shaw is a warrant officer in the air corps.

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Courier Tribune

May 1, 1944

page 2

Lt. Bob Shaw is flight officer in his unit, camped in England. He is also a pilot receiving his wings and commission at Luke Field, Arizona.

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Courier Tribune

9 Oct 1944

page 1

A Seneca Flier Reported Missing

Lt. Robert Shaw Lost in Flight over Germany

Mrs. Milton Hawley received word Sunday, October 8, that her only son, Second Lieutenant Robert Shaw, is missing in action over Germany since September 18. The Lt. Shaw has been in service Lt. Shaw has been in service general, with the assurance that if further information was learned, immediate word would be sent relatives.

Lt. Shaw has been in service about two and one-half years. He, graduated from Luke Field, Ariz., Nov. 5, 1943, was home on short leave and went overseas the last of November last year. He was then a flight officer; believed to be on a bomber and was promoted to second lieutenant in August this year. The nature of his work is not known to his family. The last letter his mother received was written September 13.

Bob -is 24 years-old, attended Seneca High School. Members of his family and his many friends are hopeful of receiving good news in regard to his safety, soon.

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The Sabetha Herald

11 Oct 1944

Seneca Flier Missing.

Mrs. Milton Hawley of Seneca received word Sunday that her only son, Second Lieutenant Robert Shaw, is missing in action over Germany since September 18.

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Courier Tribune

1 Mar 1945

page 2

Believe Lt. Bob Shaw May Be a Prisoner

Mrs. Ellạ Hawley received a letter from the War Department of the U. S. Government last week with news concerning the mission on-which her son Lt. Robert Shaw was reported missing. The letter stated that Bob, pilot of a transport plane, was within two, miles of his objective when the plane was hit and crippled by anti-aircraft fire.

Four crew members were seen to have bailed out before the plane crashed but no other information could be given: the mission was in the vicinity of “Grosbeak, Holland on September 18. This is the first word of encouragement Mrs. Hawley has received and leads her to believe Bob may be a prisoner of the Germans. She hopes with the advancement of Allied armies and the liberation of some American internment camps she may receive word her son is safe and well.

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Courier Tribune

19 Jul 1945

page 2

Division, A. P. 0.450, U. S. Army — Second Lieutenant George O. Shaw, 0-540658, Infantry, Co. D., 343d Infantry Regiment, U. S. Army, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in connection with the military operations against the enemy in Germany from April 10, 1945 to April 28, 1945. At Dunschede, Germany, 2nd Lt. Shaw courageously led his men in the elimination of enemy positions so that Company A could proceed upon its mission. When his company commander was pinned down by the hostile fire at Humburg, Germany, Lieut. Shaw, without regard for his safety moved forward, selected gun positions and delivered heavy fire upon the enemy so that his commander could continue the advance. Later was given the mission of sending one section of his heavy machine guns with reconnaissance troops. Accompanying a section of his heavy machine guns with reconnaissance troops, Lieut. Shaw was subjected to the murderous machine gun and rifle fire as he approached a small village. He advanced ‘unhesitatingly- under the fire, directed ‘his guns into position and forced the enemy to surrender. His courage, initiative and leadership reflect great credit to himself and the armed forces of the United States. He entered military service from South Carolina.

The 23 year old son of Major and Mrs. John C. Shaw of Goff, of the 86 th infantry division, whose average age was 22 years, is now in the states of a a 30 day furlough enroute to the Pacific area.

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Courier Tribune

24 Sep 1945

page 2

Mrs. Hawley Learns

Son Survived Crash

Mrs. Milton Hawley, mother of Bob Shaw, who was reported missing after action in Europe, September 18 of last year, received a letter recently from a Lt. Ralph L. McClintock, who gave her information about her son. The letter read: “Enclosed is Bob’s wallet which the Germans gave me when we were captured. They took everything out of it when they searched us except the things still in it. I never knew why they gave me his things but they did and so will send them on to you.

I have waited so long in writing you in hopes I would have some word to pass on. Since I haven’t heard any, I feel I’ve waited long enough, so will write you what I know and the same thing I’ve told the Army. On our mission, the second day of the Arnheim, Holland Drive, we were towing gliders when our plane became unmanageable due to intense ground fire. I told the fellows to get out which we all did, Sgt. Callahan,

Column 3

first, I think, then Christal, Bob and myself later. I lit by myself, was captured and taken to a farm house and put in a barn under guard. About 10 minutes later, Bob and Christal were brought in. They wouldn’t let us talk but I learned that neither was hurt. They told me so and nothing was apparently wrong.

I was only with them a few minutes when the Germans took me into the house. They started raising Ned, most of which 1 didn’t understand and didn’t make any difference anyhow as I wasn’t answering what I did understand. They tired after a while and to me into another room, then brought Bob and Christal in. After they were taken out, I was brought in again and was given their few things like their wallets, pen knives and so forth. These were taken from me in later searches except the wallets.

I was then put under guard of three Germans and put in a small truck to be taken away. I immediately asked where my crew was and was given to understand they would be coming later or had already gone on and that as I was pilot, I was being taken to be questioned. It sounded reasonable so I was satisfied.

All through the different-camps I kept asking for Bob and Christal but could get no word of them anywhere. I even had a letter written to the Red Cross at Genera, Switzerland, but they could give me no word.

I am sorry that all I can tell you is that the last I saw them in the barn, they were both O.K., said they were and looked alright. I have done everything I can think of to locate them but I haven’t heard a word, I sincerely hope that you have”

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Courier Tribune

27 Sep 1945

page 1

Government Declares Bob Shaw Dead

Mrs. Ella Hawley received word Monday, Sept. 24, from the United States Government, that her son, Second Lieut. Robert Shaw, glider pilot, is now declared officially dead. He was missing since Sept. 18, 1944, when he flew a volunteer mission over Arnheim, Holland. A letter published in Monday’s Courier-Tribune, was information received by Mrs. Hawley from Lieut. McClintock, who was with Bob on his last mission, and is the last and most definite information she has had about her son.

Bob was born in January, 1920, in Seneca, and spent all his life here until he entered service. He first trained with the US Light Artillery at Ft. Sill, Okla., and was later transferred to aviation. He was home about two years ago and went overseas in December, 1943. He served in Africa, Italy, Sicily and at the time he was reported lost, was based in England.

Bob was the only son of Mrs. Hawley and those who knew him, feel that in making the supreme sacrifice for his country, Bob did it with strong convictions as to his duty and belief in right and justice.

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Courier Tribune

23 Jul 1959

page 1

Still a Veil of Mystery

FROM DAYS OF THE WAR

Remains Established as Those

of Lt. Robert Shaw, Seneca,

and of Fellow Flier, Are

Recovered From Farm on

German-Holland Border

Tragedies of World War II are still being reviewed.

An unusual story in regard to a Nemaha County service man who gave his life, Lieutenant Robert WW. Shaw of Seneca, has come to light at the present time.

Bob Shaw grew up in Seneca, was one of our boys. His mother, Mrs. Shaw, widowed, married Mil- ton Hawley. The mother is now deceased, and the information that can be learned about Bob Shaw comes to Mr. Hawley, who kindly letter he has received from the Army Quartermaster Department. Mr Hawley says that as well as new information, it reviews all that the family had learned before.

Briefly, Lieutenant Bob Shaw was a co-pilot shot down over the German-Holland border in 1944 , on a volunteer mission in which his plane was towing glider troops for an attack.

It was known that he parachuted safely and was captured by the war as a prisoner, but that Bob had disappeared.

Now, at last, remains that are established as those of Lt. Shaw and a fellow flier have been found on the farm near which he was shot down, and are being returned to the national cemetery at Fort Leavenworth, where the military burial service will be held on the morning of August 17.

A mystery remains of what happened after Lt Shaw was captured. Whether he tried to escape, put up a fight, was slain without mercy, was the victim of an attack on his captors just, what happened will probably never be learned.

Mr. Hawley said that for some years Bob’s mother thought he might have been transferred by the Germans to the Russians and imprisoned in concentration camps. As the years passed, there could not be much hope he had lived. The reaction of the family seems to be something of relief, that after the long years something definite has been established and that his remains will rest in the soil of his homeland

It is a long, but interesting story, and we believe told best in the from Lieutenant-Colonel Donald L. Warde of the Quartermaster Corps:

Dear Mr. Hawley:

This letter is in reference to your ton, Second Lieutenant Robert W. Shaw, who lost his life in Europe during World War II. son and one of his comrades were recovered from a culvert on a farm in Germany. Because of the place of burial and the effects: of the elements, which caused certain portions of the remains to be lost, it was not possible to identify these two men individually. They have therefore, been established as a group burial, the only recoverable remains of your son and Seargeant First Class Allen Christal. Because of this situation I should like to give you a resume of the lengthy investigation an effort to resolve this case. On 18 September 1944, your son And Sergeant First Class Allen Christal, both on the 54rd TC Squadron, 61st TC group, were

members of a four man crew aboard a Douglas C−47 aircraft No., 42−2406 (Skytrain) which departed Barkston-Heath, England, on a glider tow mission to Groesbeek, Holland, during the Arnheim-Nijmegen campaign. The aircraft was hit by enemy flak and was seen to crash about one mile southeast of. Groesbeek, at approximately 2:30 p. m. of the same day; however, all of the crew members parachuted and landed safely. The crew members were your son, Lt. Robert W. Shaw, Co-pilot, CFC Allen Christal, Crew Chief, 1/Lt Ralph L. McClintock, pilot, and S/Sgt Robert E. Callahan, radio operator.

Records further disclose that S/Sgt Callahan was rescued by Dutch civilians and later returned to duty. The pilot, 1/ Lt McClintock, was captured by the Germans as were Lt. Shaw and SFC Christal. The following is a condensed version of a detailed statement by Lt McClintock, concerning the loss of the plane, his capture and the circumstance in which he last saw his crew mates.

Within 20-30 minutes after his, plane was shot down McClintock; was captured, taken to a farm yard close by and put into a barn. A subsequent investigation revealed that the farm was the Kruezhof farm near Kranenburg, Germany. Shortly thereafter, Shaw and Christal were brought, in and seated beside him. Through conversation, he learned that neither of his crew members were injured. The Germans interrogated each man separately, with the pilot being the first in order. When McClintock was called back into the interrogation room, he and was made to understand that Shaw and Christal had gone ahead or were to follow. At this time, the German gave him Shaw’s and Christal’s wallets, knives, etc., tied up in individual bundles using their handkerchiefs as a wrapper. From that time, he never saw or heard of them again. Lt. McClintock related further that when he protested being set from the farm without his crew mates, he was led to believe that they would follow him, and that the separation was necessary since he was the pilot and would be subjected to further interrogation. Later, while confined to a Prisoner of War camp, Lt. McClintock caused a letter to be written to the International Red Cross at Geneva, Switzerland, in an effort to learn the fate of these two members of his crew but no further information was uncovered at that time.

According to captured Germany records a Douglas C-47 cargo plane of the 53rd TC Group, 61st TC Squadron was shot down in the Arnheim area at noon on 18 September 1944. The rank, surname, and position of four crew members are listed. A translated copy of the same report reflects of the four crew members and the serial numbers of two.

From October 1946 to March 1949 many searches and investigations were conducted by United States Army personnel in an effort to learn the fate of these two men. The investigations brought negative results, however, and none of the remains recovered from the general area could be associated with your son Robert and his companion. At the conclusion of the investigations it was determined that their remains were nonrecoverable.

In April 1958, The British Imperial War Graves Commission advised United States Army officials that they had certain remains in their possession which they believe-

ed to be those of United States Army personnel. According to the commission, the remains were recovered from the “Kruezhof” farm (where your son was last seen alive) and temporarily interred in the British Reichswald cemetery. Preliminary examination revealed the intermingled remains of two decedents, remnants of a military shirt and shoes of United States manufacture.

At a later date the remains were processed through our scientifically equipped laboratories in Frankfurt, Germany. Proceeding on the theory that the remains, were those of United States Army Air Force personnel who died during the opening phases of the Arnheim-Nijmegen campaign, or other, military operation in the same general area, it was necessary to screen an undetermined number of files for World War II casualties lost in the pertinent geographical area as well as many other historical and organizational records. After a careful consideration of the circumstances of your son’s death, laboratory findings, place of recovery, and military effects recovered with the remains, and the fact that evidence of the recovery confirmed statements made by Lt McClintock, the identification of the only recoverable, remains of your son and SFC Christal was established.

The remains have been casketed and will be returned to the United States for interment in Fort Leavenworth National cemetery, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on 17 August 1959 at 11:00 a. m. This cemetery is the nearest national cemetery to the homes of both decedents.’ –

(from this point the letter concludes with transportation arrangements that can be made for their next of kin, noting however, that the number of persons who may attend the services is not limited.

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Courier Tribune

20 Aug 1959

page 1

Attend the Service for Lieut. Robert Shaw

Military honors, with burial in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, were paid Monday morning to Second Lieutenant Robert Shaw Seneca young man who gave his life in World War II.

Attending the service were close relatives, and friends of the family. Bob’s three sisters, came from California: Mrs. Rosella Hollinger of Tulare, Mrs. Evelyn Richard of Crescent City, Calif., and the former Olive Shaw, recently married, of Crescent City, California. They were guests here Sunday night at the Milton Hawley home and attended the service with Mr. Hawley. Mrs. Kenneth Stager, the former Betty Hawley, half-sister of Bob Shaw, and her husband came from Congerville, Illinois for the service. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foltz, Mrs. George Sausser and Miss Elizabeth Troughton were among the Senecans attending.

The remains of Lieutenant Shaw and of Sergeant First Class Allen Christal were honored in a group burial at the National cemetery.

This was a final chapter of a sad and long drawn story of the war, reviewed in a July issue of this paper. It was on September 18, 1944, that Lieutenant Shaw and Sfc. Christal were members of a crew of plane towing glider troops preparing for an attack. The plane was shot down near the German-Holland border, but members of the crew parachuted safely to earth. One was saved by Dutch people. Lieutenant Shaw and Sfc. Christal were captured, as well as the pilot, by the Germans. The pilot was interrogated, kept in prison camp. He was separated at the farm where they were captured, from his two other crewmen, and they, were never heard from again, though there was long search and investigation. Last, year, an English war Graves commission which had worked the battle areas reported, it had discovered remains at a culvert on the farm and provided temporary burial in a British cemetery for two men believed Americans. Again there was detailed research the check of the other men lost in the area, study of the military effects ,etc. until, it was established with definiteness that these were the lost crewmen.

The picture of Lieutenant Shaw is one that was in the ‘files’ of the paper, from an issue following the war that featured those who had sacrificed their lives for their country.

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From Perplexity

Robert Shaw was a crew member aboard a Douglas C-47 airplane of the 54th Troop Carrier Squadron, part of the 61st Troop Carrier Group. On September 18, 1944, Lt. Shaw and his crew were involved in a mission towing glider troops preparing for an attack when their plane was shot down over Germany.nemahacountyhistoricalsociety

The 54th Troop Carrier Squadron had been activated in 1942 and was part of the larger 61st Troop Carrier Group, which was active throughout World War II using C-47 aircraft primarily for transporting troops, towing gliders, and delivering supplies. The 61st Troop Carrier Group participated in significant airborne operations including Normandy, Sicily, Italy, and Arnhem, often facing heavy enemy fire during these missions.armyaircorpsmuseum+1

The incident involving Lt. Shaw took place during a period when the 61st TC Group was engaged in high-risk operations supporting airborne assaults in Europe. The crew members aboard such aircraft were often at great risk from ground fire and enemy aircraft due to the nature of these missions.nemahacountyhistoricalsociety

In sum, Robert Shaw was part of the 54th TC Squadron, 61st TC Group crew flying a Douglas C-47 involved in glider tow and troop transport missions during WWII, and his aircraft was downed over Germany on September 18, 1944, during a combat operation.9af+1

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Find a Grave

2LT Robert Wesley Shaw V

Veteran

Birth

10 Jan 1920

Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas, USA

Death

18 Sep 1944 (aged 24)

Kranenburg, Landkreis Stade, Lower Saxony, Germany

Burial

Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery

Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas, USA

Plot

Section M, Site 709

Memorial ID

3664279 ·

2nd Lt. Robert Wesley Shaw was with the 53rd Squadron, 61st Troop Carrier Group. He died in the area SE of Groesbeek, Holland and was listed on the Wall of The Missing in the Margraten Cemeterey, The Netherlands. His remains were recovered and sent home for burial in Kansas

Cenotaph here

************************************************************

U.S. Army Service No. (ASN): #O-887922

Enlistment Date: 04/20/1942

Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart

Robert W. Shaw is listed under Finding Of Death in the 1946 Army and Army Air Forces Personnel Casualty List for Nemaha County, Kansas.

U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 lists his residence as 913 North 6th Street, Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas. Contact person listed as Mrs. Milton Hawley of Seneca, Kansas. Place of birth listed as Seneca, Kansas on 01/10/1920. Middle name listed as Wesley. Employed as Laborer by John Sausser of Seneca, Kansas as of 07/01/1941 registration date.

U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962 lists place of death as Kranenburg, Germany. Religious denomination: Baptist. Name and address of Next of Kin: Mrs. Evelyn Richard (Sister) of R. R. #1, Box 606, Crescent City, California. Re-interred on August 17th, 1959 with T/Sgt. Allen Christal.

***I would like to thank D M C Find A Grave ID 46817953 for adding their gravesite photo to this memorial***

***I would like to thank Laura Phillips Find A Grave ID 47011310 for adding her photo of Robert to this memorial***

***I would like to thank SANDRINE FUCHS Find A Grave ID 51130668 for updating the rank on this memorial***

Inscription

2nd Lieutenant; Kansas; World War II, Air Medal, Purple Heart; Army Air Forces, Killed in action, Germany

Gravesite Details

Re-interred on August 17th, 1959

2Lt Robert Wesley Shaw V

Veteran

Birth

10 Jan 1920

Kansas, USA

Death

18 Sep 1944 (aged 24)

Netherlands

Cenotaph

Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial

Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands

Plot

MIA or Buried at Sea

Memorial ID

56303777

Robert W. Shaw

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

Service # 0-887922

53rd Squadron, 61st Troop Carrier Group

Entered the Service from: Kansas

Died:

Missing in Action or Buried at Sea

Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery

Margraten, Netherlands

Awards: His remains have been recovered and buried at the Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas.

The Kansas City Star

16 Aug 1959

Rites for 2 Killed By Captors in War

LEAVENWORTH, KAN., Aug. 15 (AP)—The bodies of two American airmen who apparently were slain by their German captors after they had parachuted safely to earth after their plane was shot down over Holland in 1944 are expected to arrive here tomorrow.

Lt. Robert W. Shaw and Sgt. Allen I. Christal will be accorded full military honors at 11 o’clock Monday morning in the National cemetery at Ft. Leavenworth.

For many years their bodies remained concealed in a culvert on the Kruezhof farm near Kranenburg, not far from Groesbeek, Holland.

Official Army records disclose both were members of a 4-man crew aboard a C-47. The plane left England September 18, 1944, was hit by enemy flak and crashed. All of the crew members parachuted to safety.

Sgt. Robert E. Callahan, radio operator, was rescued by Dutch civilians and later returned to duty.

The pilot, Lt. Ralph L. McClintock, later reported he was captured 20 or 30 minutes after landing and placed in a barn on the Kruezhof farm. Shaw and Christal were brought in and seated beside him.

That was the last time McClintock ever saw his companions.

McClintock was called into an interrogation room and told he was being taken away and given to understand that Shaw and Christal had gone ahead or would follow.

At that time, the records show, the Germans gave the pilot the wallets, knives and other personal property of the other two airmen.

From October, 1946, until March, 1949, the Army conducted many investigations to learn the fate of the two men.

In April, 1958, however, the British War Graves commission informed Army officials in Europe it had certain remains believed to be those of American servicemen.

The commission said the bodies had been recovered from the Kruezhof farm and interred temporarily in a British cemetery.

Shaw’s relatives expected to attend the services are his step-father, Milton E. Hawley of Seneca, Kas., and his sisters, Mrs. Evelyn Richard and Mrs. Olive Ruchong, Crescent City, Calif.; Mrs. Rosella Hollinger, Tulare, Calif.; and Mrs. Betty Stager, Congerville, Ill.

Christal’s relatives expected are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christal of Brookfield, Mo., and his sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Tague, Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Wendell Myrick of Hickman Mills, Mo.

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Fresno Bee

16 Aug 1959

Tularean’s Kin – Honor Burial Will Be Given Victim Of Nazis

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP)—The bodies of two American airmen who apparently were slain by their German captors after they parachuted safely when their plane was shot down over Holland in 1944 are expected to arrive here today.

Second Lieutenant Robert W. Shaw and Technical Sergeant Allen Christal will be accorded full military honors at 11 AM tomorrow in the National Cemetery at Fort Leavenworth.

Shaw’s survivors include a sister, Mrs. Rosella Hollinger of 430 South G Street, Tulare, Calif.

For many years the bodies remained concealed in a culvert on the Kruezhof farm near Kranenburg, not far from Groesbeek, Holland.

Official army records disclose both were members of a four man crew aboard a C47 assigned to the 56 TC Squadron, 61st TC Group.

The plane left England September 18, 1944 during the Arnhem-Nijmagen campaign, was hit by enemy flak and crashed.

All Parachute Safely
All of the crew members parachuted to safety.

Staff Sergeant Robert E. Callahan, radio operator, was rescued by Dutch civilians and later returned to duty.

The pilot, First Lieutenant Ralph L. McClinteck, later reported he was captured 20 or 30 minutes after landing and placed in a barn on the Kruezhof farm. Shaw and Christal were taken there and seated beside him.

That was the last time McClinteck ever saw his companions.

McClinteck was called into an interrogation room and told he was being taken away and given to understand that Shaw and Christal had gone ahead or would follow.

Turned Over Property
At that time, the records show, the Germans gave the pilot the wallets, knives and other personal property of the other two airmen.

From October, 1946 until March 1949 the army conducted many investigations to learn the fate of the two men.

During April, 1958, however, the British War Graves Commission informed army officials in Europe it had certain remains believed to be those of American servicemen.

The commission said the bodies had been recovered from the Kruezhof farm and interred temporarily in a British cemetery.

Relatives Informed
Investigation was reopened and later relatives were informed the bodies had been located.

Shaw’s relatives expected to attend the services are his stepfather, Milton E. Hawley, Seneca, Kan., and his sisters, Mrs. Hollinger, Mrs. Evelyn Richard and Mrs. Olive Ruchong, Crescent City, Del Norte County, Calif., and Mrs. Betty Stager, Congerville, Ill. His mother, Mrs. Ella Holly, died a year ago in Seneca.

Christal’s relatives expected are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christal, Brookfield, Mo., and his sisters Mrs. Dorothy Tague, Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Wendell Myrick, Hickman Mills, Mo.

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Houston Chronicle

16 Aug 1959

BODIES HIDDEN 14 YEARS – Slain Airmen Coming Home

Leavenworth, Kan. – (AP) – The bodies of two American airmen who apparently were slain by their German captors after they had parachuted safely into Holland in 1944 are expected to arrive here Sunday.

Second Lt. Robert W. Shaw and T. Sgt. Allen Christal will be accorded full military honors Monday in the National Cemetery, Ft. Leavenworth.

For many years their bodies remained concealed in a culvert on the Kruezhof farm near Kranenburg, not far from Groesbeck, Holland.

Official Army records disclose both were members of a 4-man crew aboard a C-47 assigned to the 56th Troop Carrier Squadron, 61st Troop Carrier Group.

The plane left England Sept. 18, 1944, during the Arnheim-Nijmagen campaign, was hit by flak and crashed.

S. Sgt. Robert E. Callahan, radio operator, was rescued by Dutch civilians and later returned to duty.

The pilot, First Lt. Ralph L. McClinteck, later reported he was captured 20 or 30 minutes after landing and placed in a barn on the Kruezhof farm. Shaw and Christal were brought in and seated beside him.

That was the last time McClinteck ever saw his companions.

The Army conducted many investigations to learn the fate of the two men.

During April, 1958, however, the British War Graves Commission informed Army officials in Europe it had certain remains believed to be those of American servicemen.

The commission said the bodies had been recovered from the Kruezhof farm and interred temporarily in a British cemetery.

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Wichita Eagle

16 Aug 1959

Airmen Slain by Captors To Get Military Honors At Leavenworth Services

LEAVENWORTH, KAN., Aug. 15 (AP) — The bodies of two American airmen, apparently slain by their German captors after they parachuted safely over Holland in 1944, are expected to arrive here Sunday.

Second Lt. Robert W. Shaw and T. Sgt. Allen Christal will be accorded full military honors at 11 a.m., Monday, in the National Cemetery at Ft. Leavenworth.

For many years their bodies remained concealed in a culvert on the Kruezhof farm near Kranenburg, not far from Groesbeek, Holland.

Official Army records disclose both were members of a four-man crew aboard a C47 assigned to the 56 TC Squadron, 61st TC Group.

The plane left England Sept. 18, 1944, during the Arnheim-Nijmagen campaign, was hit by enemy flak and crashed.

All of the crew parachuted to safety.

Robert E. Callahan, radio operator, was rescued by Dutch civilians and later returned to duty.

The pilot, 1st. Lt. Ralph L. McClinteck, was captured 20 or 30 minutes after landing and placed in a barn on the Kruezhof farm. Shaw and Christal were brought in and seated beside him.

That was the last McClinteck saw of his companions.

McClinteck was called into an interrogation room and told he was being taken away and given to understand that Shaw and Christal had gone ahead or would follow.

At that time, the records show, the Germans gave the pilot the wallets, knives and other personal property of the other two airmen.

Conduct Investigations
From October, 1946 until March, 1949, the Army conducted many investigations to learn the fate of the two men.

During April, 1958, however, the British War Graves Commission informed Army officials in Europe it had remains believed to be those of American service men.

The commission said the bodies had been recovered from the Kruezhof farm and interred temporarily in a British cemetery. Investigation was reopened and later relatives were informed the bodies had been located.

Shaw’s relatives expected to attend the services are his stepfather, Milton E. Hawley, Seneca, Kan., and his sisters, Mrs. Evelyn Richard and Mrs. Olive Ruchong, Crescent City, Calif.; Mrs. Rosella Hollinger, Tulare, Calif., and Mrs. Betty Stager, Congerville, Ill.

Christal’s relatives expected are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christal, Brookfield, Mo., and his sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Tague, Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Wendell Myrick, Hickman Mills, Mo.