Andrew Whalen Shaw

Andrew (Andy) Whalen Shaw was born on January 29, 1930, in Lallie Township, Benson County, North Dakota to William Shaw Jr. and Lillian Jane Shaw. He entered the United States Army on September 21, 1948, and served in the Korean War during the Battle of Chociwan. Corporal Shaw was part of the POWs that endured a brutal forced march now known as the Tiger Death March and was released through negotiations known as Operation Big Switch. He received the Occupational Medal Japan, the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

From Ancestry: Fondly known to all as “Andy “passed away on Monday January 4, 2021, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND at the age of 90.  Andy was born at home in Lallie Township, Benson County, North Dakota, he was the son of the late William Shaw Jr. and Lillian Rainbow Shaw. He leaves behind his dear sister Ardis Shaw and Brother Vincent Shaw (Janice).  He was the loving father of son Whalen Bud Shaw, Sr. (Renita), daughter Corrie Shaw. He was cherished grandfather to 20 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.  Andrew is survived by several nieces, nephews, other loving family and friends.

Andy grew up in the Ft. Totten area of the Spirit Lake Reservation, as a child attended the Ft Totten School.  At the age of 10 Andy stayed and worked on a farm to help his mom raise his siblings. Andy said he joined the US Army in September 1948 at the age of 18 to see the world however very shortly after enlisting the Korean War broke out.  He was stationed in Japan with the 24th Infantry Division when North Korea invaded South Korea.  His third Battalion, 21st Infantry were among the first to arrive to delay North Korean forces while the allied forces could establish defensive positions in the South.  “We were the closest to Korea,” he shared, he arrived in Korea on July 4, 1950.  His battalion met with North Korean forces in the Battle of Chochiwon where he and more than 200 men were taken prisoner from his regiment. Andrew was captured by the enemy July 12, 1950, he and fellow US soldiers were forced to march through mountains and snow, known as the Tiger Death March.  Andrew carried a fellow soldier Floyd Pandarvis for three days after they beat him so bad he couldn’t walk. In later years they became close friends and sadly Pandarvis passed this last June.  Both men received the Purple Heart.   Andy was a prisoner of war for 37 months and was finally released on August 24, 1953, and returning home in October 16 of that same year.  

Corporal Shaw received the Prisoner of War Medal in 2007 as presented by Senator Byron Dorgan and on June 12, 2015, Senator Heidi Heitkamp presented him with the Purple Heart.  He was honored and recognized for his bravery, sacrifice, meritorious service and patriotism to our nation.

Upon his return he married Angelina Littleghost in 1958, then starting their family.  His joy and past times were fishing, hunting and was known as a saddle bronc Champion.  In December of 1990 he was married to Patricia Ann Cree they enjoyed gardening and traveling to powwows on the ND reservations.

Patricia died February 2003.  Andy began his dedicated work career for the Ft. Totten Housing Authority in maintenance, later as supervisor retiring after 20 plus years of service.  Andy was a very caring and generous man who had a great sense of humor and looked out for those he loved.  He loved putting smiles on the faces of those closest to him.  Most importantly he loved and cherished his family and special moments he shared with them.  In his retirement years he spent time helping his family members, community friends with advice and small projects.  He was an active member of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church. It was his tradition and value of respect to show his love of America by flying his POW flag and his American flag proudly.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Bernard and Carrie (White) Rainbow, his parents, his sisters Vivian and Hazel, Brothers William Jr. and Roger.  Uncles Joe Rainbow Sr., Andrew Rainbow, and Julius Rainbow, Sr., his Aunts Dora Gray and Hermania McKay.  His wives Angeline Littleghost and Patricia Cree. His beloved son Vernard Neil Shaw and infant daughter Stana Lynn Shaw. Grandsons Tobias, Whalen and Andrew Shaw, Sr.