Recipients Of The Navy Cross - Shumway, DeWitt Wood (U.S. Navy) - 2 NCs (WWII. Fought in the Battle of Midway - see http://www.cv6.org/1942/midway/midway_4.htm
Florida Marriage Collection, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001 Record
about Dewitt Wood Shumway
Name: Dewitt Wood Shumway
Marriage Date: 1936
County of Marriage: Escambia
Volume: 336
Certificate: 8436
Source: Florida Department of Health
Lieut Comdr Shumway Decorated
To the growing list of Syracuse heroes who have especially distinguished themselves in battle against the enemy
must be added the name of Lieut Comdr DeWitt W Shumway, son of Mrs. Pearl Shumway, 841 Ackerman Avenue.
This young officer has just been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for leading a bombing attack on
a Japanese aircraft carrier, off Guadalcanal, in which the enemy warship was destroyed.
It was a gallant piece of work which contributed mightily to the subsequent American successes at that point.
In expressing its admiration for his valor and skill, it seems appropriate that Commander Shumway's home city
should repeat with profound pride and satisfaction, the words uttered by Admiral William F Halsey, commander
of the United States forces in the South Pacfic, conferring the decoration.
"We cannot bespeak the great pride and gratitude we have for you. Keep up the good work; our country's fate
is in your hands."
SOURCE: Syracuse Herald Journal (Syracuse, New York) > 1943 > February > 4
Comm Dewitt Shumway, son of Mrs Pearl Shumway, of 1552 Salt Springs Rd, was amoung nine men killed
accidentally Thursday while observing aircraft training exercises in the Puerto Rican area.
The navy department said that a bomb released from a flight of planes which took off from the Carrier Tarawa
accidentally struck an observation tower on the edge of a small island near Puerto Rico. Nine men in the tower
were killed instantly another was wounded.
Comm. Shumway, 36, was the hero of many air battles in the Pacific theater and held the Navy Flying Cross.
A sister, Ruth E Shumway, us assistant supervisor of music in Syracuse schools. His wife, Mrs
Dianne Battles Shumway, of Norfolk, Va., called her mother-in-law when she received news of her
husband's death.
Comm. Shumway, based at Norfolk, was a member of the staff of Adm Daniel Barbey and with other
high ranking officers was on a nine-day lnspection tour of Cuban bases. They arrived at Puerto Rico
Thursday to watch bombing practice.
The body of Comm. Shumway will be returned to Norfolk and burial in Arlington national cemetery.
Comm. Shumway, a native of Oneonta and a graduate of Potsdam High School, class of 1927, attended
Clarkson College and entered the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1942.
He received flight training at Pensacola, Fla., after serving as communications officer on the USS Nevada.
He was aboard the carrier Ranger for two years, flew catapult planes and was awarded the Navy Cross and
the distinguished flying cross.
He supervised the photographic laboratory and map making departments at Corpus Christi, Tex.
In September of 1942, he was awarded the gold star in lieu of a second DFC from the late Secretery of
the Navy, Frank Knox for leading his squadron in operations against the Jap-held Solomon Islands,
August 7, 1943. The following May he was cited for leading three raids against enemy land installations
in the Solomons.
He is also survived by a son, David Shumway.
SOURCE: The Post Standard (Syracuse, New York) > 1946 > April > 6
Steve Shumway - shumways@@petershumway.org
BURIED: Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC
Who is this family member?