Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Samuel
Robert
Shumaker

Born:

, 

California

Home:

Washington

, 

D. C.

Buried: 

Honolulu

, 

Hawaii

Cemetery:

National Memorial of the Pacific Cemetery

Samuel Shumaker graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1915.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    U.S.S. New Orleans (CA-32)

    Action Date:

    July 24, 1943 – April 7, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 333 (December 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Captain Samuel Robert Shumaker (NSN: 0-9093), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NEW ORLEANS (CA-32) in the Solomon Islands from 24 July 1943 to 7 April 1944. Captain Shumaker skillfully directed the operations of his vessel in numerous vital missions during this period of intense activity and contributed in large measure to the success of our forces.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    May 1, 1941 – July 17, 1943
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 347 (February 1946), Corrected by 348 (March 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Captain Samuel Robert Shumaker (NSN: 0-9093), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States in connection with the development of the radio proximity fuze, 1 May 1941 to 17 July 1943. Confronted with the complex task of translating the concept of an electronically operated proximity fuze into an instrument of war capable of being manufactured in mass production, Captain Shumaker applied his own enthusiasm, energy and technical knowledge toward the development of this highly effective device. He planned and directed the design, manufacture and assembly of the hundreds of components of the fuze under conditions of utmost secrecy, and was largely responsible for one of the most potent offensives as well as defensive weapons of World War II.