Edward E. Shelby

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 USS Sunfish in the Pacific theatre.

Edward E. Shelby
Nickname(s)Ed
Born(1910-09-01)1 September 1910
Memphis, Tennessee
Died19 June 1973(1973-06-19) (aged 62)
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1933–1962
RankCaptain
Commands held
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsNavy Cross (3)
Silver Star

Early life and education

Shelby was born in Memphis, Tennessee[1][2] 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.[2][3] Shelby later attended the Armed Forces Staff College, graduating on 22 January 1949.[4]

Career

After graduation from the Naval Academy, Shelby served aboard the light cruiser USS Raleigh.[5] In January 1937, he entered submarine training at New London, Connecticut.[6] Shelby was then assigned to the submarine USS S-42.[7]

In January 1942, Shelby assumed command of the submarine USS R-12.[8] In October 1942, he was promoted to lieutenant commander.[9] 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.[10][11]

In December 1943, Shelby was given command of the submarine USS Sunfish.[8] Promoted to commander in January 1944,[12] he remained her commanding officer until March 1945, conducting five combat patrols against Japanese shipping in the Pacific.[8][13] Shelby was awarded the Silver Star for the first patrol and the Navy Cross for each of the next three patrols.[1][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.[8][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]

References
  1. "Edward Ellis Shelby". Military Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  2. Register of Alumni: Graduates and Former Naval Cadets and Midshipmen. The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Inc. 1 July 1956. pp. 317, 320. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  3. Lucky Bag. U.S. Naval Academy. 1933. p. 234. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  4. "Armed Forces Staff College". Army and Navy Journal. Vol. LXXXVI, no. 22. 29 January 1949. p. 631. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  5. "Navy Orders". Army and Navy Journal. Vol. LXXIV, no. 16. 19 December 1936. p. 332. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  6. "New Submarine Class". Army and Navy Journal. Vol. LXXIV, no. 9. 31 October 1936. p. 186. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  7. "Navy Orders". Army and Navy Journal. Vol. LXXIV, no. 36. 8 May 1937. p. 764. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  8. "Allied Warship Commanders: Edward Ellis Shelby, USN". uboat.net. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  9. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1 July 1944. p. 82. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  10. "R-12 (SS 89)". United States Submarine Losses: World War II. Naval History and Heritage Command. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  11. "R-12 (Submarine No. 89)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  12. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1 July 1945. p. 55. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  13. "Sunfish I (SS-281)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  14. "Decorations and Citations" (PDF). All Hands. August 1945. p. 58. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  15. "Corporal (SS-346)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  16. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1 January 1954. p. 21. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  17. "Capt. Tyree Takes Helm of Sub Squadron Six". Army Navy Air Force Journal. Vol. XCIII, no. 1. 3 September 1955. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  18. "USS Elokomin (AO-55)". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  19. Register of Retired Commissioned and Warrant Officers, Regular and Reserve, of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1 July 1966. p. 390. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  20. "Shelby, Edward E". ANCExplorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  21. "Shelby, Carolyn W". ANCExplorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
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