Edward E. Shelby Explained

Edward E. Shelby
Nickname:Ed
Birth Date:1 September 1910
Birth Place:Memphis, Tennessee
Allegiance:United States of America
Branch:United States Navy
Serviceyears:1933–1962
Rank:Captain
Commands:
Battles:World War II
Awards:Navy Cross (3)
Silver Star

Edward Ellis Shelby (1 September 1910 – 19 June 1973) was a United States Navy captain. A decorated veteran of World War II, he earned the Navy Cross three times as commander of the submarine in the Pacific theatre.

Early life and education

Shelby was born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in San Antonio, Texas. After studying at the Marion Military Institute, he entered the United States Naval Academy in 1929 and graduated with a B.S. degree on 1 June 1933.[1] [2] Shelby later attended the Armed Forces Staff College, graduating on 22 January 1949.[3]

Career

After graduation from the Naval Academy, Shelby served aboard the light cruiser .[4] In January 1937, he entered submarine training at New London, Connecticut.[5] Shelby was then assigned to the submarine USS S-42.[6]

In January 1942, Shelby assumed command of the submarine USS R-12.[7] In October 1942, he was promoted to lieutenant commander.[8] In June 1943, the R-12 sank in a training accident near Key West, Florida with the loss of forty-two lives. Shelby and four others were washed overboard from the bridge and rescued from the sea about six hours later.[9] [10]

In December 1943, Shelby was given command of the submarine .[7] Promoted to commander in January 1944,[11] he remained her commanding officer until March 1945, conducting five combat patrols against Japanese shipping in the Pacific.[7] [12] Shelby was awarded the Silver Star for the first patrol and the Navy Cross for each of the next three patrols.[13] [14]

Returning to the United States, Shelby supervised the fitting out of the new submarine USS Corporal in Groton, Connecticut. He then served as her first commanding officer from November 1945 to January 1946.[7] [15]

In January 1952, Shelby was promoted to captain.[16] From June 1954 to August 1955, he served as commanding officer of Submarine Squadron Six and the Submarine Refit and Training Group at Norfolk, Virginia. Shelby was then given command of the fleet oiler USS Elokomin until 1956.[17] [18]

Shelby retired from active duty in March 1962.[19]

Personal

After his death on 19 June 1973, Shelby was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 7 August 1973.[20] His wife Carolyn Watkins Shelby (5 November 1913 – 25 March 1992) was later interred beside him.[21]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Register of Alumni: Graduates and Former Naval Cadets and Midshipmen . 1 July 1956 . 317, 320 . The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Inc. . 2023-10-20.
  2. Book: Lucky Bag . 1933 . 234 . U.S. Naval Academy . 2023-10-20.
  3. News: Armed Forces Staff College . 29 January 1949 . LXXXVI . 22 . 631 . Army and Navy Journal . 2023-10-20.
  4. News: Navy Orders . 19 December 1936 . LXXIV . 16 . 332 . Army and Navy Journal . 2023-10-20.
  5. News: New Submarine Class . 31 October 1936 . LXXIV . 9 . 186 . Army and Navy Journal . 2023-10-20.
  6. News: Navy Orders . 8 May 1937 . LXXIV . 36 . 764 . Army and Navy Journal . 2023-10-20.
  7. Web site: Allied Warship Commanders: Edward Ellis Shelby, USN . uboat.net . 2023-10-20.
  8. Book: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps . 1 July 1944 . 82 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . 2023-10-20.
  9. Book: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/u/united-states-submarine-losses/r-12-ss-89.html . R-12 (SS 89) . United States Submarine Losses: World War II . 31 January 2017 . Naval History and Heritage Command . 2023-10-20.
  10. Book: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/r/r-12.html . R-12 (Submarine No. 89) . Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships . 7 April 2021 . Naval History and Heritage Command . 2023-10-21.
  11. Book: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps . 1 July 1945 . 55 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . 2023-10-20.
  12. Book: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/sunfish-i.html . Sunfish I (SS-281) . Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships . 24 September 2015 . Naval History and Heritage Command . 2023-10-20.
  13. Web site: Edward Ellis Shelby . Military Times . Sightline Media Group . 2023-10-20.
  14. News: Decorations and Citations . August 1945 . 58 . All Hands . 2023-10-21.
  15. Book: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/c/corporal.html . Corporal (SS-346) . Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships . 21 April 2016 . Naval History and Heritage Command . 2023-10-20.
  16. Book: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps . 1 January 1954 . 21 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . 2023-10-20.
  17. News: Capt. Tyree Takes Helm of Sub Squadron Six . 3 September 1955 . XCIII . 1 . 6 . Army Navy Air Force Journal . 2023-10-20.
  18. Web site: USS Elokomin (AO-55) . NavSource Naval History . 2023-10-20.
  19. Book: Register of Retired Commissioned and Warrant Officers, Regular and Reserve, of the United States Navy and Marine Corps . 1 July 1966 . 390 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . 2023-10-20.
  20. Web site: Shelby, Edward E . ANCExplorer . U.S. Army . 2023-10-20.
  21. Web site: Shelby, Carolyn W . ANCExplorer . U.S. Army . 2023-10-20.

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