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JOURNAL/STEVE GRAZIER
FORMER U.S. ARMY PVT. Luther Shields is pictured Oct. 6 with his recently awarded military service medals at the Vista Grande Inn. Shields, 90, was a prisoner of war for 19 months during World War II and was able to escape. |
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WWII vet finally awarded medals
60 years after serving country
Shields captured then escaped from Nazi prison camp
Steve Grazier
Journal Staff Writer
Sometimes really good things come to those who wait.
After nearly six decades, a U.S. Army veteran from Montezuma County received various military medals he earned during his service in World War II.
Former Army Pvt. Luther Shields, 90, was presented with a half dozen medals during an Oct. 6 ceremony at the Cortez Vista Grande Inn nursing home.
"It's real special," said the veteran WWII infantryman of receiving the medals.
Shields, who is a resident of Vista Grande, was a prisoner of war for 19 months in a German camp after being captured Dec. 10, 1942. He was taken prisoner at age 23 near Tunis, Africa, after Nazi soldiers approached a road block that was constructed by U.S. forces.
"There were eight of us fighting the (German) infantry," Shields said in a narrative he authored. "A tank came right up to me. I held my hands up, and about three times they tried to shoot me.
"The German sergeant told him 'no' and slapped the gun down. What a close call!"
Shields noted that the Germans marched him and a dozen or so other U.S. soldiers the 14 miles to a Nazi headquarters in Tunis. Eventually, the private was transported to a Nazi camp in Savigliano, Italy. He escaped more than a year later.
There were 1,300 prisoners in the POW camp, said Shields, who recalled that he and others made several attempts to escape. On Sept. 14, 1943, he and another trooper were successful.
"I hid out in the mountains of Italy," Shields said Oct. 6. "Me and "Van" got loose from 'em. I remember we ran, ran, ran."
Over the next nine months, Shields and his buddy, Van, hid out in caves, scrounging for food and moving along a nighttime. Shields eventually returned on the Queen Mary to the United States in August 1944.
Private Shields was discharged from the Army in 1945. Shortly after his military service concluded, he made a special purchase.
"I bought a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Maryville, Calif.," he said. "I had 27 months of back pay coming, which was around $900."
For his military service, Shields received the U.S. POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with a Bronze Star attachment and arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal and the Honorable Service Lapel Button, WWII.
About 20 friends and family members of Shields attended his Oct. 6 medal presentation. His nephews, Michael and David Shields, initiated a process with the local veterans administration office in November 2008 to have the medals awarded.
"I'm plum elated and overwhelmed about this," said Michael Shields. "We got 'em (the medals), and this (event) tonight has touched everybody here."
Reach Steve Grazier at steveg@cortezjournal.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, November 02, 2009
Article comment by:
Renee' Shield Bradshaw
Luther Shields was a "hero" to my father, Kenneth Shields, long before these medals arrived simply because of the kind of man he was. I heard my grandmother tell how after making his way back to the US, Luther visited the family in Arkansas and my dad who was about two years old took up with him. We are thrilled for Luther and his family. Amazing story.
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Denise Gautreau
Congrats Uncle Luther. You look so good. Oh u can't be 90, u look younger than LovaMae!!I am glad u got your medals, u deserve it and much moreThank u for defending our country. Take car and we love you!! Oh yea watch out for those 80 year old women in there.Lol
Posted: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Krystal Kasper Richardson
There are few people more deserving of such an honor. Luther's story is both fascinating and powerful. He has always been a remarkable, wonderful man and I am so glad he was honored by the country he so bravely served and continues to serve. Luther is a hero to many for his faithful service to God and country.
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