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<em>SHIELDS</em> was born in Gainesville, Florida, where his father was a member of the local National Guard called to duty along the Mexican border about 1915-16 and later for service in Europe during World War II. He was afterward commissioned as a major in the regular army, which meant frequent moves in the U.S. for the Warrens.</p>
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At an early age, Shields Jr. expressed a desire to attend West Point, a wish fulfilled in 1935 as a member of the Class of ’39. Upon graduation, Shields joined the 19th Infantry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. There, in June 1940, he and Patty Field, another Army “brat,” were married.</p>
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Numerous changes followed the Pearl Harbor attacks of 7 December 1941. In October 1942, the Warrens returned to the U.S., and Shields, having volunteered for parachute training, joined the 508th Parachute Regiment as its elements underwent jump training at Fort Benning and additional training at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg.</p>
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The training was arduous, the “free” time little, but Patty with the help of Army friends established a home in Pinehurst. From there she helped organize the infrequent regimental parties or related events. During this rigorous period, Shields usually was a battalion commanding officer. The unit went to Ireland, then England, and then into Normandy, France, on the night of 6-7 June 1944. Shields became Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and led it through four campaigns until wars’ end in Europe. He earned the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts and unit awards from the French and the Dutch.</p>
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After World War II, the family moved frequently and his responsibilities increased: Colombia (South America) on attache duty, Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, Fort Leavenworth, Germany (Nuremburg, Stuttgart, and Heidelberg from 1951-55), Leavenworth again, MAAG-China in Taiwan from 1957-60, Fort Ord, KMAG (Korea) in 1963, and the Iowa National Guard from 1963-65.</p>
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Retirement finally came in 1965. Before Germany, only Shields III was present; afterward Linda, Robert and Kelsey became part of the family. After 1965 they spent a few years in Long Island, New York, where Shields became involved in the design of sailing boats. The family, eventually including eight grandchildren, moved to the Carolinas.</p>
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In 1989 a severe automobile accident caused Shields to stay in a convalescent home near Raleigh most of the time until his death on 26 January 1994. Patty and one daughter still live in Cary, North Carolina, at 411 Appletoss Drive 27511.</p>
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Personal integrity, dedication to duty, thoughtful of others, good humor, strong body, and impressive voice—all these characteristics were expressed by numerous admirers. “He was a good man and lived a good life.” A remarkable number of ex-airborne friends managed to gather at Arlington National Cemetery, “There was a ‘full honors’ funeral, including horse-drawn caisson, riderless horse, and color guard of two armed rifle platoons from the 3rd Infantry Regiment.”</p>
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Friends had attached a logo of the 82nd Airborne Division to the casket, a small but significant gesture of farewell.<br />
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