Education
Shofner attended the University of Tennessee where he was on the football and wrestling team He graduated in 1937 with degrees in commerce and science, and was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps.
Shofner attended the University of Tennessee where he was on the football and wrestling team He graduated in 1937 with degrees in commerce and science, and was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps.
He joined the Philippine resistance, and later returned to command units of the Marine Corps in the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa. Shofner was assigned to the 4th Marines in Shanghai. The Regiment was later transferred to the Philippine Islands.
Shortly after the start of the war, Lieutenant
Shofner was promoted to captain on 5 January 1942 and took command of a company in 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines that he led in the Battle of Corregidor. Captured at the surrender of the Philippines, Shofner escaped with a small group of nine other Americans, including William Dyess, Jack Hawkins, and Samuel Grashio, plus two Filipinos on 4 April 1943.
Evacuated to Australia by the submarine United States Ship Narwhal, Shofner briefed the American Pacific Command on Japanese atrocities. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Douglas MacArthur.
Using his experiences, he helped plan the raid at Cabanatuan.
He commanded the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment in the Battle of Peleliu, where he was wounded by mortar fire. In late 1944 he was assigned as a Marine Corps liaison and advisor on guerrilla affairs to the command of Douglas MacArthur for the invasion of Luzon. Following World World War II Shofner served again in China, as a Naval Attache in Peru, and commanded the 6th Marines.
He retired as a Brigadier General in 1959.