James Lewis Shaw
Chief Quartermaster James Lewis Shaw, USS Henrico APA-45, U.S. Navy.
Chief Quartermaster James Lewis Shaw was born in New Jersey in 1918 to Samuel J. and Daisy Shaw, who had emigrated from England to the United States with their son John in 1912. James Shaw was the third child, with sister Dorothy coming in between the two brothers. By 1920 the Shaw family had purchased a home at 42 North 25th Street in Camden NJ, and were members of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church on Westfield Avenue at Dudley Street. After attending Cramer Junior High School in Camden, James Lewis Shaw graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School on Federal Street in 1937.
James Shaw had enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve while still in high school, in August of 1934. He re-enlisted in 1938, and was called to active duty in May of 1941. James Shaw participated in the amphibious assaults at Casablanca and Salerno. He returned to the United States to become a crewmember on a brand new attack transport, the USS Henrico.
USS Henrico APA-45
The USS Henrico (APA-45) is named for Henrico County, Virginia and was formerly the SS Sea Darter. Built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation of Pascagoula, Mississippi, in 1942/1943, the Sea Darter was converted to an attack transport with accommodations for a division staff by the Bethlehem Steel Company of Hoboken, New Jersey, and was commissioned the USS Henrico on 26 November 1943, Commander John H. Willis, USN Commanding. On 3 December 1943 the ship reported to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet for duty with Transport Division Eleven.
Allied docks during World War II.
On 27 January 1944 Henrico joined Task Unit 20.2.1 and on 11 February proceeded to the United Kingdom with elements of the Headquarters Division Command, Sixth Armored Division, 128th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, and the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion embarked.
In England she participated in rehearsal landings preparatory to the invasion of Europe. On 28 May 1944 during a heavy air attack in Portland, England, the Henrico fired her guns in anger for the first time.
Allied beach landing operations during World War II.
D-Day, 6 June 1944, found the Henrico a part of the assault force which landed troops over the Easy Red section of Omaha Beach, Normandy. Following the landings at Normandy the ship proceeded to the Mediterranean and participated in the landing at Baie De Pompelonne, Southern France in August. September and October were spent shuttling troops and cargo from England to Southern France and Italy.
In October 1944 the ship returned to the United States and entered the Boston Naval Shipyard for repairs. Upon completion of repairs, in December 1944, Henrico proceeded to Leyte in the Philippine Islands via the Panama Canal and San Diego. At Leyte the ship made preparations for the invasion of Okinawa. On 18 March 1945 Captain Willis was relieved by Captain W. C. France, USN as Commanding Officer.
The Francis
The Yokosuka P1Y “Frances” (Ginga), the twin-engine Japanese bomber used as a kamikaze against the USS Henrico.
From 21 March until the evening of 2 April 1945, Henrico participated in the invasion of Okinawa. While proceeding to night retirement about four miles from Kerama Retto Harbor, Okinawa, the ship was hit by a “Francis” twin-engine Kamikaze Bomber. The kamikaze with his bombs struck the starboard side of the Navigation Bridge causing extensive damage. Chief Shaw was on the bridge directing anti-aircraft fire. Two 250-pound bombs penetrated two deck levels and exploded on the main deck, resulting in fires and flooding that were not brought under control until 2100. Two hours later the ship was taken in tow to Kerama Retto Harbor. As a result of the attack, thirty-seven Navy and fourteen Army personnel were killed, including the Transport Division Commander, the Commanding Officer, and the Troop Commander. Lieutenant W. D. Craig, USNR, the Executive Officer, assumed command.
Chief Shaw was one of those killed. He was survived by his parents, and his wife, Thelma Irene Shaw, of 42 North 25th Street in Camden NJ. He had previously been awarded the Bronze Star, and was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.
James Lewis Shaw was brought home to New Jersey and buried at Locustwood Memorial Park in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill) NJ.
Woodrow Wilson High School
James Lewis Shaw in the Woodrow Wilson High School yearbook.
Navy Sends Warship Running Light to Church as Memorial to Sailor
Camden Courier-Post —
Relic Was Near Place on Bridge Where Quartermaster James L. Shaw of St. Wilfrid’s Parish Lost Life in Okinawa Battle
The running port light of the USS Henrico is shown above. It was near the bridge on which Chief Q.M. James Lewis Shaw, of Camden, was killed by a Jap suicide plane during the battle for Okinawa. It will grace a shrine to be erected in St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal church in his memory. With the light is shown Rev. William W. Ridgeway, rector of the church, to whom it was sent by the Navy at the request of President Truman.
Amid the crosses marking the heroic dead of the battle for Okinawa today sleeps Chief Quartermaster James Lewis Shaw, of Camden. In the rectory of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal church, at Westfield and Dudley, is the running port light of the USS Henrico, crippled by a Jap suicide plane on April 2. The light marked the spot near the bridge on which Quartermaster Shaw gave his life with other men of the crew when the Kamikaze pilot struck. The light was presented to the parish by the Navy under direction of President Truman. It will grace a shrine to be erected by St. Wilfrid’s members of Shaw, the one member to make the supreme sacrifice out of 46 men who answered the call to the colors.
Dr. William W. Ridgeway, rector of the church, wrote President Truman and asked for some part of the damaged ship to be sent to be incorporated in the memorial. The request was sent by the Navy to the skipper of the Henrico, also known as the PA 45, which was in drydock in a Pacific coast shipyard for rebuilding. Capt. W. C. France of the Henrico told Dr. Ridgeway in a letter he had difficulty in locating something suitable as a memorial to Quartermaster Shaw but finally located the port light.
The running light was on the port side of the navigation bridge, where Quartermaster Shaw was directing gunfire during the ill-fated participation in the invasion of Okinawa. It symbolizes navigation in general.
Native of Camden
Quartermaster Shaw was the son of James J. and Daisy Thornton Shaw, of North Twenty-fifth street. He was born in Camden on April 3, 1919, and enlisted in the Navy in Aug. 1934. He re-enlisted in 1938. He was placed on active duty in May 1941, and served in the North Atlantic patrol. He participated in the invasions of Casablanca, Salerno, Southern France and Normandy. He received a Bronze Star and was awarded three stars for participation in major battles.
James Shaw Rites Set Saturday
Camden Courier-Post —
Requiem Mass for Chief Quartermaster James L. Shaw will be celebrated Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, Westfield avenue and Dudley street. The Rev. William W. Ridgeway, who prepared him for confirmation in 1932, will be celebrant. Friends may call tomorrow night at the funeral home of Clarence J. Eichel, 60 South Twenty-seventh street. Burial will be in Locustwood memorial park.
Shaw lived at 42 North Twenty-fifth street. He was killed April 2, 1945, when a Japanese suicide plane crashed into the USS Henrico while he was directing gunfire from its navigation bridge during the invasion of Okinawa. He was 26.
A native of Camden, Shaw graduated from Woodrow Wilson High school in 1937. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve in August 1934, reenlisted in 1938 and was placed on active duty in May 1941, with the North Atlantic Patrol. He participated in the invasions of Casablanca, Salerno, Southern France and Normandy, and was awarded a Bronze Medal and three stars for participation in major battles.
Surviving are his mother, Daisy T.; a brother, J. Irvin Shaw, Oreland, PA.; and a sister, Mrs. Dorothy Woodhead, Camden.
42 North 25th Street
42 North 25th Street, Camden NJ, home of the Shaw family.