Jack E. Shively Memorial Stone

Located next to the Eiffel Bridge, a memorial stone dedicated to Lieutenant Jack E. Shively was erected in the early 2000s. It was placed in memory of this 24-year-old American pilot who died in combat on June 13, 1944. He was attempting to shoot down German planes bombing the bridges in Chinon. He belonged to the 504th Fighter Squadron (339th Fighter Group) and piloted a P52 Mustang.

Lieutenant Jack E. Shively, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Shively, was reported missing in action over France on June 13, 1944. An article in the Saratoga Sun dated June 22, 1944, stated that few details were known, but the lieutenant’s friends hoped he had been able to take refuge in neutral territory or was being held as a prisoner of war. For nearly two months, family and friends held out hope of finding him alive, but unfortunately, the Saratoga Sun of August 17, 1944, reported that the family had received a telegram confirming his death.

Shively Family, Photo from Bob Martin/Dick Perue Collection, courtesy Dick Perue, from left, E.J. Shively, Jack Shively, Pearl Shively, Jane Shively and John Glode pose for a photo.

Lieutenant Jack Shively

Jack Shively was born in Custer City, Oklahoma, on April 4, 1918, but moved with his family to Saratoga as a child. He studied at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he graduated with honors in 1940. After being commissioned as a reserve officer and decorated with a second lieutenancy, he returned to help his father manage the family hardware store in Saratoga. However, shortly thereafter, he was called to serve again to refresh his military training. Shively reported to Fort Warren in Cheyenne on September 8, 1941, and requested a transfer to the Army Air Corps after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

Shively earned his wings in 1942 after training in Santa Ana, California, and a transfer to Luke Field, Arizona. He was then transferred to Tampa, Florida, before being sent to England in May 1944. A month later, he participated in a mission to disrupt the German occupation withdrawal from Chinon, France. According to an article in the French publication La Nouvelle République, Shively was shot down by the German Air Force as he attempted to get closer to the bridge leading to Chinon.

Shively Field in Saratoga, Wyoming, was named in his honor. A photo of Jack Shively was published in the June 22, 1944, edition of the Saratoga Sun following the original report that he was missing in action over France.

source :  waymark, Saratoga Sun,  https://captainbillywalker.com/war-stories/lt-jack-shively/,