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thedrifter
02-05-07, 08:31 AM
02/05/2007
Grad collects diploma, one war, 64 years late
By: ASHLEY LOPES Features Writer

TAUNTON - After more than a half-century's delay, World War II veteran and Mansfield High School Class of 1943 student James Shea got his diploma.

Because he sacrificed his childhood for his country, 82-year-old Shea's diploma is more than just a piece of paper - it is recognition and appreciation for what he gave up for future generations.

"They made a big sacrifice at a time when they needed to," said David Redding, assistant media coordinator at Mansfield High School, of veterans such as Shea. "They have paid their dues and earned their right to receive their diploma."

Veterans such as Shea didn't skip high school, they lived it.

They learned their academic subjects, but not always in a classroom.

Sometimes they learned geography and foreign languages by traveling to foreign lands, math through the use of weapons and maps, biology through helping wounded soldiers. And, as for history - they didn't learn it, they made it.

A welcome committee of teachers lined up to congratulate Shea - a junior when he left Mansfield High School for a three-year U.S. Navy tour on the Atlantic during World War II - and present him with his diploma a month ago.

While there was no cap and gown or stage to walk across, a humble Shea said the small, informal ceremony was very nice but "kind of embarrassing."

"I didn't think much of it when I went to pick up my diploma, so I was surprised when I saw a reception committee there waiting for me," said Shea, a Taunton resident. "I was flabbergasted. I had to buy a bigger hat when I left."

Born in Mansfield, Shea was in the Merchant Marines before he joined the Navy in 1943, following in the footsteps of his father, who served in France during World War I.

"I wanted to join. It was just the thing to do at the time," Shea said. "I wasn't smart enough to be nervous or think twice about it."

Though the Germans dominated the first few years of the war, Shea said that by the time he joined the Navy the war had begun to cool and the allies were winning at sea.

As a boiler operator on a 3,000-men, 600-foot carrier, Shea spent most of his time 30 feet underwater in the engine room while on duty.

"It was a pleasant job," Shea said. "It involved a lot of maintenance, but you didn't have to break your back to do it."

Shea's tour at sea was spent aboard the USS Midway, a cargo ship transporting 2 million gallons of gasoline and goods such as bomber planes for the U.S. Air Force overseas.

Sailing in a tanker convoy of 20 ships, with six destroyer escorts serving as their protection, Shea traveled to places such as Manchester, Liverpool and Belfast, England.

"Our ship was not a combat ship," Shea said. "I was very fortunate never to have seen any action."

So why, decades later, did a retired Shea return to his old stomping ground and alma mater?

"There were 10 kids in the family and only nine diplomas, so I thought it was about time I joined everyone else," Shea said. "Something I always wanted to do and never go the chance to do it."

Redding said Shea was the first veteran in his recollection to request a delayed diploma at the school, so his visit came unexpectedly.

"He is the first one we have ever had. He caught us by surprise," Redding said.

Shea said that almost every man in his graduating class went into the service, and 50 percent of his would-be fellow graduates have already passed away.

Upon returning to life in America, Shea moved to New York, where he worked at a container factory for 20 years, then at a brewery for the next 20 years before moving to Taunton.

Though Shea's tour of duty is far behind him, memories will forever flood his mind about his experience at sea.
"It was an interesting life," Shea said. "The people we met, the places we went - it was quite an experience."

As Shea looked over at his high school diploma, which sits proudly on his desk, a token of appreciation from a generation whose freedoms he fought for, he found affirmation for his decades-old decision.

Though Shea said he is sad he couldn't walk with the rest of his graduating class decades ago, he said, "I'd go again in a heartbeat if we were back in 1943," Shea said.

But his time at the high school may not be over.

"We are hoping that when our students have their class day we will invite him back to celebrate with the graduating seniors," Redding said.

alopes@tauntongazette.com

Ellie