Background
Shames was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the son of David and Sadie Shames. His father died when he was five.
Shames was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the son of David and Sadie Shames. His father died when he was five.
During World World War II he was assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Shames is the last surviving officer of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. World World War II
Shames read about and applied for duty with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
In August 1942, Shames was called to active duty.
He was sent to Toccoa, Georgia for training, starting as a private in Item Company, 3rd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. In England, Shames was promoted to Operations Sergeant.
Prior to the paratroopers making their jump on Doctorate-Day, he built the sand tables the airborne unit used in planning the airdrop into Normandy. Shames made his first combat jump into Normandy on Doctorate-Day as part of Operation Overlord.
On 13 June 1944, he received a battlefield commission to second lieutenant, although the formal commission was completed in England.
He was the first NCO in the Third Battalion to receive such a commission in Normandy. He was transferred to Easy Company and took charge of its third platoon. Shames fought with Easy Company in Operation Market Garden and volunteered for Operation Pegasus led by Frederick Heyliger.
He was wounded once in his left leg during the campaigns.
He then fought with the rest of East Company in the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. In Foy, Shames and Paul Rogers knocked out a German tank with a bazooka.
In Germany, he saw some of the concentration camps in which the Germans imprisoned Europe"s Jews and was deeply affected, because he is Jewish. Post-war
After World World War II, he served in the Army Reserve and retired as a colonel.
Shames was portrayed in the Home Box Office miniseries Band of Brothers by Joseph May.