Alonzo Estal Shelton was born in Shelton Laurel, Madison County, North Carolina, but called the Conklin Community and then Embreeville, Washington County, Tennessee home. Alonzo was the oldest son of Eugene Mandy “Gene” Shelton and Coraletta Hensley. He moved with his family in the late 1920s to Conklin where his father worked as a share cropper before moving to Embreeville to work at the Embree Iron Works. Alonzo was also working here when his mother died on 21 March 1938 and he enlisted in the United States Army seven days later on 28 March in Bristol, Tennessee.
After completing Basic Training, Alonzo was assigned to Company L, 35th Infantry Regiment at Scholfield Barracks, Hawaii. He caught the eye of his leadership and was selected to attend the Non-Commissioned Officer Candidates School. Alonzo graduated on 8 February 1941 and was promoted to Corporal on 10 March. He was on leave here in Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee visiting his family when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese on 7 December. Alonzo reported in and was reassigned to Fort Lewis, Washington to join the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.
Upon arrival, Alonzo was assigned to Company L and promoted to Sergeant on 25 April 1942.
He was Killed in Action on 14 November 1943 near Mt. Rotondo just north of Cassino, Italy when a German artillery shell exploded on his left side. Alonzo was 26 years old and participated in four Unit Campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily and Naples-Foggia. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Sgt Shelton was returned from Marzanello-Nuovo, Italy. Buried at Knoxville National Cemetery, B, 6434.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 10 October 1917
- Date of death: 14 November 1943
- County: Washington
- Hometown: Jonesboro
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Knoxville National Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Middle Panel
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