William P. Shea was born in Manhattan and grew up in the city. His later life was spent in Brooklyn where he lived when he enlisted in the war. He... Show moreWilliam P. Shea was born in Manhattan and grew up in the city. His later life was spent in Brooklyn where he lived when he enlisted in the war. He was part of the first classes to graduate from PACE University. He was a member of the NY Naval Militia/ USNR. He went from First Class Yeoman to Chief Yeoman and to Ensign. He was on the U.S.S. May and U.S.S. Mobile. And was in Breast, France. He was not wounded or hospitalized. After the war, in 1922 he jumped of the side of an eagle boat in the Hudson to save someone and was given the New York Medal of Valor. Highest decoration for valor non-combat action. The NY Medal of Valor is one of great significance. There's been less than 100 in the last 100 years.The medal was made by Lord and Taylor, whom then contacted him to borrow the medal and display it when Lindberg received it also. He attended that medal ceremony as well. He also received a Navy and Marine Corps Medal, a WWI victory medal and a Navy Convocation Medal. When he left the Navy he became a worker on Wall Street and opened an investment firm with his brother also. He took many pictures himself, and the negatives are still in tact. Show less