Bert Alphonso Shea, Jr.
PFC Albert A. “Bert” Shea, Jr. was a Marine flight mechanic with VMS-3 in the Virgin Islands.
He failed to return from a search mission in the West Indies on 15 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 377529
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 30, 1924
at Hallowell, ME
Parents
Albert Alphonso Shea, Sr.
Eugenia Mae (Neptune) Shea (d. 1934)
Education
Gardiner High School
Occupation & Employer
High school student
Service Life
Entered Service
February 24, 1942
at Augusta, ME
Home Of Record
Gardiner, ME
Next Of Kin
Parents, Bert Sr. & Irene Shea
Military Specialty
Flight Mechanic
Primary Unit
VMS-3
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Bert Shea was a Marine Corps aviation mechanic assigned to VMS-3, stationed on the idyllic island of St. Thomas. His daily duties involved servicing the squadron’s Grumman J2F “Duck” seaplanes and occasionally flying in the rear seat on search and rescue missions. Shea earned a promotion to Private First Class on 7 September 1942.
Just over a week later, on 15 September 1942, Shea and pilot 2Lt. Richard F. Dabbs were assigned to temporary aviation duty at Naval Air Station St. Lucia. A Marine Corps plane operating between St. Lucia and St. Vincent was overdue; Dabbs and Vincent set out for a sector search. They departed St. Lucia in a Grumman J2FN “Duck” (number 1204), but never returned to base.
Shea and Dabbs were reported missing after this mission; nothing more was ever learned of their fate. Both Marines were officially declared dead on 16 September 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; plane failed to return.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Bert Shea Sr.
Location Of Loss
Last reported location of the downed plane sought by Dabbs and Shea.
Bert A. Shea Jr. was my uncle.