JOHN E. SHEPHERD, III, LCDR, USN

John Shepherd, III '39

Date of birth: February 13, 1917

Date of death: March 28, 1945

Age: 28

Lucky Bag

From the 1939 Lucky Bag:

JOHN ELDEN SHEPHERD, III

Charlottesville, Virginia

Johnny, Junior

Outside of the Navy, John has one ambition. That is to inherit a million dollars. However, in these days of mounting taxes, it is probable that even if someone did leave him the money, he would still be depending on his ration allowance for meals. He attended the University of Virginia for two years, and took two re-exams, which makes it all even. It was at Virginia that he began his boxing career; as a Nyvee fisticuffer he has defeated former schoolmates. The official name for his weight is a bit difficult to remember, but it is one of the lighter weights. So far he has not ruined his profile in the ring, and it continues to stand him in good stead during leaves.

Boxing 4, 2, 1, BNT; M.P.O.

JOHN ELDEN SHEPHERD, III

Charlottesville, Virginia

Johnny, Junior

Outside of the Navy, John has one ambition. That is to inherit a million dollars. However, in these days of mounting taxes, it is probable that even if someone did leave him the money, he would still be depending on his ration allowance for meals. He attended the University of Virginia for two years, and took two re-exams, which makes it all even. It was at Virginia that he began his boxing career; as a Nyvee fisticuffer he has defeated former schoolmates. The official name for his weight is a bit difficult to remember, but it is one of the lighter weights. So far he has not ruined his profile in the ring, and it continues to stand him in good stead during leaves.

Boxing 4, 2, 1, BNT; M.P.O.

Loss

John was lost when USS Trigger (SS 237) was sunk by Japanese surface forces in the East China Sea on March 28, 1945. He was acting executive officer of the boat (per the now-broken link http://www.fleetorganization.com/subcommanders3.html).

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

John graduated from Lane High School in 1933. Junior Football, ’31-’32; THE CHAIN Photograph Editor, ’32-’33; Hi-Y, ’32-’33. Johnny pursues a scholarly way, But he finds much fun from day to day. Prophecy: photographer for Ballyhoo Magazine. Class Will: leaves his title as the smallest senior.
His father was a real estate broker, mother Julia, and brothers Henry and Robert.

His wife was listed as next of kin.

Photographs

From the Lucky Bag

Career

From the now-broken link http://www.fleetorganization.com/subcommandersclassyear3.html:

Duty USS Houston (CA-30) 1 Jul 1939 - 1 Jul 1940

Duty USS Mustin (DD-413) 1 Nov 1940

Under Instruction Submarine School New London 1942

TDC Operator USS Trigger (SS-237) Mar 1944 - May 1944

Acting Captain USS Trigger (SS-237) 31 May 1944 - 1 Jul 1944

Executive Officer USS Trigger (SS-237) 1944 - Mar 1945

Ensign 1 Jun 1939

Lieutenant (j.g.) 1 Jun 1942

Lieutenant (T) 15 Jun 1942

Lieutenant Commander (T) 15 Mar 1944

Silver Star

From Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander John Eldon Shepherd, III (NSN: 0-82592), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in the performance of his duties as Torpedo Data Computer Operator in the U.S.S. TRIGGER (SS-237), during the NINTH War Patrol of that Submarine from 23 March 1944 to 15 May 1944. His skill and ability in operating the Torpedo Data Computer enabled him to furnish his Commanding Officer with accurate attack data, thereby contributing directly to the success of his vessel in sinking four enemy passenger-freighters and one destroyer totaling 33,200 tons, and damaging four additional enemy ships totaling 18,050 tons. His efficiency and coolness during severe enemy countermeasures greatly assisted his ship in conducting successful evasive tactics. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men in his ship, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 06666 (November 17, 1944
Action Date: March 23 - May 15, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Torpedo Data Computer Operator
Division: U.S.S. Trigger (SS-237)

He was also awarded the Bronze Star medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal; unable to find citations.

Navy Directories & Officer Registers

The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.

The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.

The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.