Rotary International District 5170

John Shirley is a retired veterinarian from Livermore, California and Past President of the Rotary club. His infantry combat experience started when he joined the 15th Infantry Regiment of the Third Division as a replacement Sergeant in April of 1944 on the Anzio-Nettuno Beachhead. He participated in the battles to breakout (after 3 months.), and fight on to liberate Rome. He led his rifle squad in the Invasion of Southern France, and served as a Platoon Sergeant or Acting Platoon Leader as the Third Division fought up the Rhone Valley and become the first division to reach the Rhine River at Strasbourg. On December 23, 1944, he was wounded, captured, and escaped by hitting his guard on the chin; then made his way back to American lines. He spent three months in hospitals in France and England, returning to his regiment for the final battles in Southern Germany.

After the capture of Nurenberg, he was given a battlefield commission to 2nd Lt. He ended his military service in December 1945 as Company Commander of L Co., 15th Infantry Regiment, the same unit he joined as a replacement in April 1944! John was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart

In 1994 in his capacity as National President of the 3rd Infantry Division Society, he introduced President Clinton at the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremonies at the American Cemetery at Anzio-Nettuno. John Shirley is also a past mayor of Livermore.

The Third Infantry Division incurred the most casualties (24,334) and had the most combat days (531) and received the most Medal of Honor (34) of any division in WW II.

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John Shirley wrote a book, I Remember. Stories of a Combat Infantryman in World War II, now in its second printing. He offers for sale.

July 04