Career Soldier
March 9, 2009
Bob Shake served our country from 1942-1945, and 1947-1964. His long career, presented us with a wonderful first hand account of World War Two. He first saw action in Sicily, then Italy, France and Germany. When the war in Europe had ended, Bob had over 100 points and should have been able to return home. Instead he was reassigned and served as Military Police in the Pacific. 
His career after that is still mostly classified. Fortunately for all of us, this is the first time Bob has sat down with anyone to share his stories. We are grateful that he took time to share his impressive stories that will now be a part of history.
Written by Chris Wulf
· Filed Under World War II
Bob Shake is my father.
This is the first time he has ever extensively talked about his military career. It was something that was just not talked about when we where growing up. I understand that its common for war veterans to keep it all inside. A few years back he did sit down and write about his military career for his children but hearing it from him in this video is very special to us. We think Mr. Wulf did a fantastic job of pulling information out of him for the interview. Many details that I had not know before.
Many thanks to Mr. Wulf and Mr. Neely for your patriotic efforts to capture these stories for all time.
Sincerly,
Michael Shake
I am the oldest son of Bob and find this interview just a delight to watch.
Born in Sullivan, Indiana and later moving to Toledo, Ohio with his parents and 3 brothers. It was after Pearl Harbor, brother James and Albert joined up with the military. Dad being only 16 at the time wanted to enlist as well. As my grandmother tells the story, they said no and he refused to talk to them. In March of 1942, he turned 17 and it was then that my grandparents, his mom and dad, finally told him that if he wanted to join he could … he dropped out of high school and thus began a 21 year career that saw him proudly serve his country during WW2, the Korean War and the beginning of the Viet Nam Conflict.
Brother Albert served 4 years in the Army Air Corp and brother James, US Navy, was killed in action aboard the USS Scorpion (SS-278)
http://www.oneternalpatrol.com/shake-j.htm
Dad’s “classified” career was due to the fact that he was with Army Intelligence for 17 years out of his 21 years in the Army
After years of probing, I have since found out that he was stationed in Germany after WWII and he was with a squad that was responsible for gathering counter-intelligence on the Russians.
The book “The Puzzle Palace” the story about The NSA is highly recommended reading. As my dad had pointed out on several occasions, he personally knew alot of people, names, places and events mentioned in the book.
Many thanks to all involved in capturing a slice of his life that has puzzled. thrilled and scared us as children.