MAJ Ralph T. Shaw USA (Retired)Cullum:25964 Class:'65 Cadet Company:A1 Date of Birth:March 27, 1943 Date of Death:November 15, 2024 Died in: Milledgeville, GA Interred: Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Milledgeville, GA - View or Post a Eulogy |
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Ralph Thomas Shaw was born in Marietta, GA on March 27, 1943 to Ralph Nolan Shaw and Mary George Walthal Shaw. The family moved to Manchester, GA when Tom was 3 and was soon joined by a younger brother, James. In this environment, Tom began his formative life steeped in the love and devotion of his parents who stressed a sense of moral responsibility and personal duty. Tom’s innate character grew as he excelled in high school academics and sports while developing an unmistakable, soft Southern accent, a broad smile and an amicable but strong presence that welcomed everyone. He was elected class president four years, became the captain of his football team and excelled in baseball. During this time, Tom developed an interest in attending West Point, fueled by his mother and the popular TV series The West Point Story.
Tom entered West Point with the Class of 1965, carrying with him the strong personal qualities that had prepared him for adult challenges. He thrived in the West Point environment, participating in numerous extracurricular activities, from the French Club to the Rugby Team. Tom continued to participate in rugby into his adult life.
Everyone who knew Tom during his cadet years agreed that West Point did not change his already strong character but rather sharpened his attributes. “Duty, Honor, Country” seamlessly grafted into Tom’s instinctive impulse to choose the harder right over the easier wrong. He loved his West Point experience but developed an awareness of the occasion when self-aggrandizement occasionally masqueraded as leadership and commitment. This dichotomy manifested itself by Tom shining a mischievous light on pompous and pretentious behavior that found no place in his ethos. To bring some levity to West Point’s rather stiff environment, Tom renovated his room to accommodate a wine-making operation and a pet hamster. While amusing to those cadets aware of this mischievous enterprise, the tactical department was not amused, resulting in Tom’s free time being spent with self-introspection while walking the Area. Although this was considered punishment for Tom’s hijinks, he dutifully accepted the penance as a small payment for the satisfaction gained. This experience only solidified the innate values that he held firmly for the rest of his life. Tom became known as someone who never equivocated regarding moral values but always recognized opportunity for levity while retaining a solemn attitude for things of a serious nature.
Upon graduating in1965, Tom was assigned to the Infantry and detailed to 12 weeks at Airborne School and Ranger School. Upon completion, Tom was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he was promptly sent to the Dominican Republic as part of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force. During this assignment, Tom requested two weeks leave to return to Manchester and marry Gwendolyn Collins, who had been the apple of his eye and the love of his life since they first met in the third grade. They had three children: Leanne, Michael and Steven.
Within a few months of returning to Fort Bragg, NC and reuniting with his new bride, Tom was assigned to Vietnam as a Military Assistance Command, Vietnam advisor. Not being content with the routine job, Tom searched for more adventure and volunteered to fill a door gunner position with a helicopter unit stationed nearby. Door gunner was considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the war zone. This part-time “hobby” culminated in sufficient air hours for Tom to be awarded an Air Medal. Subsequently, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star after being shot through the thigh during combat operations.
He finished his tour without being evacuated, despite being thrown across the floor of his hooch by a lightning strike. Tom returned to the U.S. and was assigned to the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, followed by a second Vietnam tour in the 101st Airborne Division, during which he earned his second and third Bronze Star with “V.”
Following his second Vietnam tour, Tom was assigned to ROTC duty at Bowdoin College at Brunswick, ME. While there, he earned a master’s degree in education from University of Maine. After an assignment in Germany with the 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, Tom completed the Command and Staff College and volunteered for a one-year tour in Korea as G-3 plans officer. Arriving back in the U.S., Tom was reassigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and served in numerous staff positions, including ground liaison officer to the 317 Tactical Airlift Wing and jumpmaster.
Retiring from the Army in July 1983 on the Pope Air Force Base, NC drop zone, Tom ended a career that was marked with a resume of physical and moral courage and devotion to his country, his church, and, most of all, his family whom he dearly loved (which was matched by their adoration). He worked as a financial advisor while teaching high school ROTC and then made a final move to Milledgeville, where he worked for the state of Georgia until he retired in 2008. He loved his house on Lake Sinclair, where he enjoyed cruising in his boat with friends and family, which now included five grandchildren. He continued his love of gardening and joined the local country club, where he referred to himself as “an enthusiastic duffer.”
The adage “still water runs deep” was manifested in Ralph Thomas Shaw, who gave his life to something greater than himself.
He will be missed.
— Sonny Ray, Classmate; Gwen Shaw, Wife
