Charles Norman Shay, a member of Penobscot Nation born on Indian Island who was recognized for his heroic actions on Omaha Beach in France during World War II, died on Wednesday. He was 101.
Just two years ago, Shay’s life story enthralled a room of Old Town High School students.
An Old Town High School history teacher, Christina Turner, knew Shay’s story before setting up a trip to Europe for her students to learn about World War II while visiting important locations in Great Britain and France.
Knowing his impact on the war, Turner tried to set up a time for Shay to meet the students.
Shay was just 19 years old when he first stepped foot on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, D-Day. It was there he used his training as a combat medic to save multiple critically-wounded soldiers from the sea, an act of bravery that earned him the Silver Star.
He was one of 175 Native-American soldiers who stormed the beach.
Shay went on to aid wounded soldiers in multiple battles during World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge, before being captured by German soldiers and marched to a prisoners of war camp. Liberated from the camp in 1945, Shay would be sent home from the military, ending his time as a medic in the war although he would re-enlist and later serve in the Korean War.
Through multiple connections, Turner was successful. She arranged a dinner near Shay’s home in France’s Normandy region, where he has lived since 2018. More than 3,000 miles from Old Town, the students were able to hear the story of a man who grew up right across the river from them.
“There at the restaurant we were at on the beach, the students were with this man from their town who literally helped save the free world,” Turner said.
The students who heard Shay’s story — from Indian Island to his then-home in France — had just visited the Charles Shay Indian Memorial, which includes a bust of Shay to represent the Native Americans who served in the war, along with a granite turtle sculpture made by his nephew.
Shay, who spent his time at the dinner speaking with a student who is a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, had a lasting effect of gratitude on every student with his heroic actions, Turner said.
Students made an unprompted line to shake Shay’s hand afterward, a “defining moment” for Turner’s students who have continued to talk about it and even include it in graduation speeches, she said.
“Every one of them got to have the experience of shaking his hand and thanking him and again, you know, we had just spent the entire day on the beaches and had gone to the American Cemetery. It was just very, very powerful and very emotional and unbelievably meaningful,” Turner said.
Turner said she cried throughout the day Wednesday while thinking about Shay and how thoughtful and kind he was to meet with the students and share his time with them. Turner called him a “symbol of when we are at our best” that she still thinks of.
Members of the Penobscot Nation did not respond to requests for comment.
Others across Maine shared their condolences for Shay and the life he led.
“On behalf of the people of Maine, I mourn his passing, and offer my condolences to his loved ones, the Penobscot Nation, and to all the people Charles Shay inspired during his remarkable life,” Gov. Janet Mills said on Wednesday.
“A proud member of the Penobscot Nation and a graduate of Old Town High School, Charles embodied the very best of our state,” Sen. Susan Collins said. “I had the privilege of meeting Charles on several occasions, including in Normandy during the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Meeting Charles, I was struck by his humility and the profound sense of duty to his fellow soldiers that guided him throughout his service.”
