John and Della Kurtz Shaffner, living in Beaverhead County, Montana, had 4 sons in World War II. Three of 3 sons were drafted or enlisted. John and Della not only endured and suffered the death of a son, but had 3 sons in the South Pacific at the same time. Communication between them was by letters, sometimes taking months to arrive and often censored. Grandmother Della kept all their letters which have been transcribed by Donnee Shaffner Stibal.
Veterans Memorial Park-Dillon, Montana
In Honor of those who served
The second son, Walter Shaffner, enlisted. After graduating from high school in 1936, he enrolled at the University of Montana graduating in June of 1941 with a degree in forestry. Walter enlisted in Marines in 1942 as a private, received his commission to 2nd Lt. He was promoted to 1st Lt in the field. In the Dillon Tribune issue of 5 February 1943 there is a picture of Walter F. Shaffner with a Resing submachine gun. The article beneath the picture states that ...A Dillon Marine Corps officer, Second Lieutenant Walter F. Shaffner is eligible today for assignment to a combat unit or specialist's school for final training after completion of reserve officer's school at Quantico, Virginia, according a release from Marine headquarters in San Francisco. Lieutenant Shaffner, while training in Quantico qualified as an expert with both the rifle and pistol. He also was sent to the South Pacific. He died at the battle of Pelieu. A genealogy serendipity moment, gave us more information about Walter and the Battle where he lost his life in a. (Blog on 4 October 2015 https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?tab=wj&blogID=7596178773686018896#editor/target=post;postID=628125828511203359;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=46;src=postname
).
I never knew Walter but my father often talked of his brother.
I never knew Walter but my father often talked of his brother.
Walter's medals
My mother created the display of Walter's medals
The third son, my father, Don Shaffner, joined the 163rd unit of the Montana National Guard 16 September 1940 because the wage from weekly attendance helped contribute to his living expenses while at college at Montana State College. And then to his surprise, his unit was activated as part of the 41st Infantry Division in World War II. The unit was first sent to Australia, and Don served much of his time in New Guinea as the pay sergeant.
Don was an Administrative non- commissioned Officer: He served as personnel sergeant major in an infantry regimental headquarters operating in the Southwest Pacific Theatre; supervising and compiling morning reports, service records, payrolls, and general headquarters correspondence and reports: He supervised the work of 20 to 30 people.
Don told of flying over the mountain (the humph) in New Guinea to deliver paychcks/money to soldiers. I remember a few stories of the trading the military did with the natives in order to obtain food when their supply ship didn’t arrive.
Don at Veterans Memorial Park
He was very proud to see his name, his brother's names and his friends names on bricks.
My Dad’s younger brother, Dean, Shaffner joined the Army. He too, served in the South Pacific.
Dean served in the Army at General MacArthur's headquarters. He had to type sport reports coming in on the radio. Dean registered for the World War II draft 28 December 1942
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