Alexander Fraser Shaw III
"Sandy"
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number O–10151
August 1, 1921
in Providence, Rhode Island
Alexander Fraser Shaw, Jr. (d. 1934)
Janet Thompson (Hill) Shaw
Worcester Academy (1938)
Princeton University (1947)
Princeton University student
June 24, 1940 (enlisted)
April 22, 1942 (commissioned)
at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Joined October 1, 1944 from Item Company, 23rd Marines, Fourth Marine Division
Transferred April 28, 1945 to Able Company, 9th Marines, Third Marine Division
January 4, 1946 to Inactive Reserve
Retired November 1959
41 Drowne Parkway, Rumford, Rhode Island – mother, Mrs. Janet S. Avery
Campaigns
Outfit: Headquarters & Service Company, 23rd Marines
Rank: Captain
MOS: Assistant Adjutant
Outfit: G Company, Second Battalion, 23rd Marines
Rank: Captain
MOS: Company Commander
Important Events:
June 18, 1944 – wounded in action (multiple burns)
July 6, 1944 – wounded in action (blast concussion); evacuated
July 17, 1944 – transferred to I Company, Third Battalion, 23rd Marines
Outfit: I Company, Third Battalion, 23rd Marines
Rank: Captain
MOS: Company Commander
Outfit: HQ Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines
Rank: Captain
MOS: 3097 (Battalion Supply Officer)
Decorations
Medal
Purple Heart
Purple Heart (Gold Star)
Campaign
Saipan (June 18, 1944)
Saipan (July 6, 1944)
Citation
Note: Shaw was recommended for the Bronze Star for service on Iwo Jima, however it is not clear if this was awarded.
Post-war sources indicate that he was wounded at Kwajalein, Saipan, and Iwo Jima. USMC casualty cards show two wounds on Saipan.
Service Stories
“Captain Shaw was wounded by bomb dropped by a plane on Saipan, where he was in the first contingent of Marines to go ashore. He was wounded July 6, 23 days after landing. A letter has disclosed that he was in a hospital only one week and later took part in the conquest of Tinian.”
– The Providence Evening Bulletin, 17 August 1944
Post-War Life
Alexander Shaw remained on Marine Corps muster rolls as part of the Officer Volunteer Reserve, and retired as a major in November 1959.
After leaving active duty, Shaw returned to Princeton to finish his studies. He married Gail Webster Dawley in December 1946, and received his degree in the spring of 1947. He pursued a career in finance, spending twenty years as a member of the New York Stock Exchange and working as an independent advisor.
The Shaws raised four children, and in his spare time “Sandy” enjoyed boating around Chapoquoit Island near West Falmouth, Massachusetts. He died at his summer home there on June 14, 1990.
That is my Uncle Sandy but that is not his picture !
Hi Rob – you’re absolutely right; I had this flagged to update and got behind. I found the photo mislabeled online, but recently got a copy of the 23rd Marines Red Book, so can now update the picture. It has been corrected here and elsewhere on the site. Apologies for the mix up!
Geoffrey
The family thanks you for the correction. This is a great site to honor those who served. Well done !