Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his widow) from US Secretary of the Army Robert T. Stevens at the parade grounds on Fort Meyer, Virginia, on May 16, 1955, for his actions as a 1st lieutenant Company A, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, US Army, on June 7, 1953, at the Second Battle of Battle of Pork Chop Hill, near Sokkogae, Korea. After graduating from high school, he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia, but dropped out in 1944 to to join the US Army. He served in the US Constabulary in post-war Europe, rising to the rank of staff sergeant, before being appointed in 1948 to the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he was an All-American in track. After graduating with a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in 1952, he was sent to Korea. On that day, he voluntarily proceeded to the area most threatened, organizing and leading a counterattack. In the ensuing bitter fighting, he killed two of the enemy with his trench knife. In over 18 hours of heavy fighting, he moved among the defenders of Pork Chop Hill, organizing a successful defense. Leading a counterattack, he killed three enemy soldiers single-handedly. Even though he was wounded, he refused evacuation and was last seen alive fighting hand-to-hand while leading another desperate counterattack. His body was never recovered and he was declared killed in action. He was also awarded a Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "1st Lt. Shea, executive officer, Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 6 July, he was supervising the reinforcement of defensive positions when the enemy attacked with great numerical superiority. Voluntarily proceeding to the area most threatened, he organized and led a counterattack and, in the bitter fighting which ensued, closed with and killed two hostile soldiers with his trench knife. Calmly moving among the men, checking positions, steadying and urging the troops to hold firm, he fought side by side with them throughout the night. Despite heavy losses, the hostile force pressed the assault with determination, and at dawn made an all-out attempt to overrun friendly elements. Charging forward to meet the challenge, 1st Lt. Shea and his gallant men drove back the hostile troops. Elements of Company G joined the defense on the afternoon of 7 July, having lost key personnel through casualties. Immediately integrating these troops into his unit, 1st Lt. Shea rallied a group of 20 men and again charged the enemy. Although wounded in this action, he refused evacuation and continued to lead the counterattack. When the assaulting element was pinned down by heavy machine-gun fire, he personally rushed the emplacement and, firing his carbine and lobbing grenades with deadly accuracy, neutralized the weapon and killed three of the enemy. With forceful leadership and by his heroic example, 1st Lt. Shea coordinated and directed a holding action throughout the night and the following morning. On 8 July, the enemy attacked again. Despite additional wounds, he launched a determined counterattack and was last seen in close hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. 1st Lt. Shea's inspirational leadership and unflinching courage set an illustrious example of valor to the men of his regiment, reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the noble traditions of the military service."