Jack Thornloe Shirley was born around 1919 in New York to Kenneth Walter Shirley and Ada Evelyn Battle. His father married Ada Evelyn Battle on 20 June 1917 in Manhattan, New York. His mother died on 7 February 1919 at her home in New York of pneumonia. His father remarried with Addie Louise Fuller in 1921 in New York City. The couple had one son, David Edward Shirley. Jack attended Central High School in Knoxville.
Served aboard the USS McKean (APD-5). The USS McKean was sunk by Japanese planes off the northern tip of Bougainville Island, Marianas Islands on 17 November 1943. Jack Shirley was officially declared dead on 18 November 1944. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
The Knoxville Journal, April 8, 1943
Two sailors who saw action at Guadalcanal have returned to Knoxville on Leave. They are Jack T. Shirley of Fountain City and David E. Williamson. Shirley is the son of Mr. and Mrs. K.W. Shirley. They were on a destroyer.
The Knoxville Journal, November 26, 1943
Not a casualty – First Class Petty Officer Jack Shirley, of Knoxville, machinist’s mate on the Destroyer McKean recently sunk by Jap torpedo planes was reported “not one of the casualties” in an Associated Press dispatch. Shirley is the son of Mr. and Mrs. K.w. Shirley, Harrill Hills, and Williamson’s wife resides at 2512 Lawson Avenue.
- Rank: Motor Machinist Mate First Class
- Date of death: 18 November 1944
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS McKean (APD-5)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Jack T. Shirley
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