WALTER B. SHAW, JR., LT, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Walter Shaw, Jr. '54

Date of birth: September 1, 1931

Date of death: August 24, 1959

Age: 27

Lucky Bag

From the 1954 Lucky Bag:

1954 Shaw LB.jpg

Walter Bishop Shaw, Jr.

Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania

Walt Shaw had a year at Penn State before a desire to enter the Naval Academy won out over an earlier urge to be a civil engineer. Walt's lack of size is more than offset by his energy and vigor. His love for sports and his athletic ability manifested itself in his record on the baseball diamond and soccer field. For those moments of relaxation he turns to the piano or uke as he is very much at home playing either. Though by no means an old salt yet, Walt can come up with some real sea stories of his own. Ask him about his pleasure cruise that ended in a timely rescue by the Coast Guard. With his natural friendliness, his abilities, and determination, Walt is sure to find his service career a successful one.

FOOTBALL—4,3,2,1. VARSITY N CLUB—4,3,2,1. VARSITY: BASEBALL—4,3,2,1. SOCCER—4,3,2,1.

1954 Shaw LB.jpg

Walter Bishop Shaw, Jr.

Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania

Walt Shaw had a year at Penn State before a desire to enter the Naval Academy won out over an earlier urge to be a civil engineer. Walt's lack of size is more than offset by his energy and vigor. His love for sports and his athletic ability manifested itself in his record on the baseball diamond and soccer field. For those moments of relaxation he turns to the piano or uke as he is very much at home playing either. Though by no means an old salt yet, Walt can come up with some real sea stories of his own. Ask him about his pleasure cruise that ended in a timely rescue by the Coast Guard. With his natural friendliness, his abilities, and determination, Walt is sure to find his service career a successful one.

FOOTBALL—4,3,2,1. VARSITY N CLUB—4,3,2,1. VARSITY: BASEBALL—4,3,2,1. SOCCER—4,3,2,1.

Loss

From USS Independence:

Pilot of the first F8U-1 launched from USS Independence. Lost due to cold cat shot. Accident occurred during shakedown, 1959.

Walt was piloting F8U-1E #145465; the crash was August 24, 1959.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1949. With a bat in hand, a soccer ball to boot. Activities: Photography Club 2, Wrestling 3, 4; Student Council 3; Baseball 2, 3, 4; Baseball Club 2, 3; Soccer 2, 3, 4; Band 2, 3, 4.

Father Walter, a life insurance agent, mother Elizabeth, and brother William.


Class of 1954

Walter is one of 37 members of the Class of 1954 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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