Amasa Junius Shaver Jr. was born July 25, 1911 to Amasa J. Shaver (1880-1956) and Carrie W. Arbuckle (1878-1969) in Delhi, NY.  His parents were married on November 29, 1905 in Delhi, NY.  The 1920 U.S. Census recorded the family lived at 153 Meridale-Delhi Highway. His dad was a dairy farmer and both his parents were from New York. The 1930 U.S. Census recorded he had a younger brother Ralph and he still livied in Meridale with his parents. He was driving a public school bus for a living.

On November 29, 1931 he married Ruth D.Ogdeh in Cohocton, NY. The 1940 U.S. Census recorded him living in Meridale, NY with Ruth and a son Donald, 6 years old. He was drafted in the Army on February 10, 1944. At some point either before or after he enlisted he and Ruth move to Oneonta, NY. She is recorded on Amasa's military paperwork as living at 15 Spring St., Oneonta, NY.

Pfc Shaver is assigned to the 3rd Battalion HQ Company, 252rd Infantry regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. The 63rd Infantry Division was known as "Blood and Fire" and WWII produced both for them. He did his training at Camp Swift, Texas and then Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi, before going to Europe the day after Thanksgiving 1944. By late November 1944, just as Pfc Shaver would have joined them, they were near Colmar, France.

The battle of the Colmar Pocket in World War II is well documented. The American and French offensive in mid-November 1944 was a success, resulting in liberation of most of Alsace. However, the Germans retained a large bridgehead on the western bank of the Rhine around the city of Colmar. On January 20, in heavy snowfall, French 1st Army, reinforced with U.S. units began the assault on the pocket. Despite the surprise, the Germans put up determined resistance. The town of Riedwihr is just a mile or two northeast of Colmar, France and was the scene of heavy fighting.

Pfc Shaver was killed in action on January 27, 1945 in the vicinity of Riedwihr, France. and buried three days later in the U.S. Military Cemetery in Epinal France, plot 2I, Row 9, Grave number 4994. At the families request, his remains were escorted home by Sgt. William H. Baker and permanently interred in the Plains Cemetery, Oneonta, NY.

If you notice anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact Jim Greenberg at nez13820@gmail.com. 

Sources

Europe Remembers, Learn About Colmar Pocket, accessed at https://europeremembers.com/story/colmar-pocket/, January 19, 2023.

Find a Grave, accessed at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117398960/amasa-junius-shaver, January 19, 2023.

National Archives at Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941; NAID: A1, 2110-C; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General

WorldWarTwoVeterans.com, accessed at https://worldwartwoveterans.org/3rd-battalion-headquarters-company-254th-infantry-regiment-63rd-infantry-division/, January 20, 2023.

Year: 1940; Census Place: Meredith, Delaware, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02521; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 13-34

Year: 1930; Census Place: Meredith, Delaware, New York; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0052; FHL microfilm: 2341154

Year: 1920; Census Place: Meredith, Delaware, New York; Roll: T625_1096; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 169

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