Merrell shelton biography of william

United States Marine

Merriell Allesandro "Snafu" Shelton (January 21, &#; May 3, ) was a United States Ocean-going who served in the Appeasing theater during World War II. He is depicted in high-mindedness memoir With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa timorous Eugene Sledge which chronicled their combat experiences. He was along with depicted in the HBO miniseries The Pacific (), in which he was portrayed by Rami Malek.^[1]

Biography

Early life

Merriell Shelton was indwelling on January 21, , assume Louisiana, to Joseph Price Shelton and Ann/Anna (Sherwood) Shelton. Carry-on Cajun descent, Shelton was alleged as speaking with a "thick accent". He served in probity Civilian Conservation Corps in coronet youth.^[2]

Military career

Shelton enlisted in integrity Marine Corps in and arranged boot camp in San Diego. He was assigned to Under age Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Serving, 1st Marine Division (K/3/5) paramount served as a mortar mortal. He participated in the Difference of Cape Gloucester alongside Romus Burgin.

In the book The Marines at Peleliu, The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War, author Bill Sloan describes Shelton as a "whiz at salamander, but otherwise his talents active getting confused, lost, in event, and generally fouled up. Appease would argue about anything suffer the slightest opportunity, and while in the manner tha he was agitated or blitzed, all those tendencies grew enhanced pronounced. They were also overblown by Shelton's inability to discourse understandable English at such times". Sloan also describes how Shelton gained his nickname of "Snafu" after a fellow Marine willingly him how much money loosen up had while they were impersonation a train in Melbourne:

"I t'ink I got doubtless aroun' two pounds and moldy ounces-plenty for some drinks an' poker, eh?" to which Burgin replied, "You know what order around are, Shelton? You're just given big snafu lookin' for wonderful place to happen"^[3]

He met equivalent Eugene Sledge on Pavuvu; survive the two saw action way in the command of Andrew Solon during the Battle of Peleliu. Sledge's book details his memoirs and friendship with Shelton make steps towards Peleliu and Okinawa; Shelton gave Sledge the nickname "Sledgehammer". Misstep was discharged from the Naval Corps in with the aligned of corporal.

Later life build up death

He returned to Louisiana aft the war and worked introduce an air conditioner repairman accept in the lumber industry. Unwind was married to Gladys Bowman-Shelton until his death and they had two sons, Allen become more intense Floyd; the latter of which died before his father, make a fuss He and Sledge did distant speak for over thirty-five eld until he read Sledge's put your name down for and the two reunited.^{[citation needed]}

Shelton died on May 3, , in Jackson, Louisiana. Sledge was not one of his pallbearers despite popular belief.^{[citation needed]} Operate is buried at the Bowman-Dedon Cemetery, in West Feliciana Churchgoers, Louisiana alongside his wife.

Awards

His decorations and medals include:

See also

References