NORMANDY, France (May 27, 2018) World War Two Veteran Pfc. Charles Shay, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, meets people attending a Memorial Day and World War I centennial commemoration ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery, France, May 27, 2018. U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to enable enduring relationships and increase vigilance and resilience in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Russell R. Rhodes Jr./Released)
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – NORMANDY, France (May 27, 2018) World War Two Veteran Pfc. Charles Shay, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, meets people attending a Memorial Day and World War I centennial commemoration ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery, France, May 27, 2018. U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to enable enduring relationships and increase vigilance and resilience in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Russell R. Rhodes Jr./Released) (Photo Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Russell R. Rhodes) VIEW ORIGINAL
Flags representing all Native American tribes are held at the Charles Shay memorial ceremony at Omaha Beach, France on June 5. More than 1,300 U.S. Service Members, partnered with with 950 troops from across Europe and Canada have converged in northwestern France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the WWII Allied Invasion of Normandy, commonly known as D-day. Upwards of 80 ceremonies in 40 French communities in the region will take place between June 1-9, 2019, the apex being held June 6th at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dommnique Washington, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Flags representing all Native American tribes are held at the Charles Shay memorial ceremony at Omaha Beach, France on June 5. More than 1,300 U.S. Service Members, partnered with with 950 troops from across Europe and Canada have converged in northwestern France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the WWII Allied Invasion of Normandy, commonly known as D-day. Upwards of 80 ceremonies in 40 French communities in the region will take place between June 1-9, 2019, the apex being held June 6th at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dommnique Washington, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Dommnique Washington) VIEW ORIGINAL

It's a time to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices Native Americans have made to the United States, not just in the military, but in all walks of life.

Charles Norman Shay, a Native American of the Penobscot tribe in Maine, was drafted into the Army in 1943 at the age of 19.

He trained as a combat medic and was assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division, aka the "Big Red One."

On June 6, 1944, during the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, Shay waded ashore on Omaha Beach. He was soon busy tending to the many wounded.

Later in the war, he applied his medical skills to the wounded at the Battles of Aachen, Hurtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge.

Shay was later attached to a reconnaissance squadron near the village of Auel, close to the Sieg River in Germany. The squadron encountered about 20 German soldiers accompanied by a tank with an 88mm weapon and were forced to surrender.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commanding General, Gen. Christopher Cavoli presents War World II Veteran, Charles Shay with a U.S. Army Europe and Africa command coin at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial during the International D-Day Ceremony on June 6, 2021, in Normandy France.  The Cemetery honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joseph McDonald)
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commanding General, Gen. Christopher Cavoli presents War World II Veteran, Charles Shay with a U.S. Army Europe and Africa command coin at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial during the International D-Day Ceremony on June 6, 2021, in Normandy France. The Cemetery honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joseph McDonald) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Joseph Mcdonald) VIEW ORIGINAL
Charles Shay Indian Memorial on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France in 2017.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Charles Shay Indian Memorial on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France in 2017. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Romain Bréget) VIEW ORIGINAL

The squadron was then marched about 60 miles, moving only by night, to the POW Camp Stalag VI-G. The column of prisoners steadily grew along the way as more Americans were captured. Shay was interrogated and held there until April 12, 1945, when U.S. troops encircled the camp, trapping 350,000 enemy soldiers and liberating the camp.

Upon returning stateside after the war, Shay was unable to find work so he reenlisted in the Army. He was stationed in Vienna, Austria, serving as a medic with a military police unit.

On June 25, 1950, the Korean War started. Shay was assigned to the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division as a combat medic.

His many awards include a Silver Star Medal and a Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He was also awarded the French Legion of Honour.

Shay remained in the Army and retired as a master sergeant.

Today, Shay is an elder member of the Penobscot tribe of Maine. He currently lives in France, and he is active in a number of American veteran projects.