Port Townsend in Jefferson County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Marvin Glenn Shields

Construction Mechanic 3rd Class

— Sole Seabee Medal of Honor Recipient —

Marvin Glenn Shields Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

1. Marvin Glenn Shields Marker

Seabees in Action: The Marvin Shields Story
U.S. Navy PDF
Click for more information.

Inscription.

Marvin Shields was a product of the Northwest. He graduated from Port Townsend High School and then went to work in Alaska for the Mineral Basin Mining Company. He enlisted in the Navy in 1962 and joined Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11. He was chosen as a member of Seabee Team 1104, an elite group of 12 Seabees and a Navy Corpsman organized to serve in remote areas. While stationed in an Army Special Forces Camp in Dong Xoai, Vietnam the camp came under heavy attack by a greatly superior force of Viet Cong Regulars. In spite of mortal wounds and complete enemy envelopment, he rescued a comrade and continued to the fight to save his friends.

He died as he lived, for his friends

[Medal of Honor Citation and photos of Shields' life]

Erected by Marvin G Shields Memorial American Legion Post 26.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.

Location. 48° 6.963′ N, 122° 45.175′ W. Memorial

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is in Port Townsend, Washington, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of Water Street and Monroe Street, on the left when traveling east on Water Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 209 Monroe Street, Port Townsend WA 98368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S.S. Marvin Shields (DE-1066) (here, next to this marker); Capt. George Vancouver (a few steps from this marker); Historic City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Townsend City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The čičməhán Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Welcome Totem Pole (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire! (within shouting distance of this marker); Honoring Eleanor Stopps

Marvin Glenn Shields Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

2. Marvin Glenn Shields Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Townsend.

Also see . . .
1. Pacific Northwest Seabees Remember Medal of Honor Recipient Marvin Shields (2019). DVIDS website entry (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

2. Marvin G Shields Memorial American Legion Post 26. Website homepage (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 657 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.