| Accession# |
VE6-2010 |
| Catalog date |
02/18/2010 |
| Collection |
OSHP Collections |
| Date of photo |
1940-1965 |
| Description |
Ruth Shaw, wife of Patrolman (and later First Sergeant) Robert P. Shaw, received a commission from Colonel Robert Chiaramonte in 1965 for her work "holding down the fort" at their home, which doubled as the Hebron Post during World War II.
The only patrolman assigned to patrol the Hebron - Newark area at that time was her husband, Robert, so desk duty was left to Ruth. While he patrolled the area 18 hours a day, Ruth was at home, taking care of her four-year-old and infant daughters, and manning the desk.
Ptl. Shaw voiced his concerns over his wife serving desk duty at a Patrol Post alone, but he said his fears were unfounded, as he discovered one night. On that night, as he returned home to check on Ruth due to reports of an aggressive drunk wandering the area, he found his wife attending the desk with a P-38 Luger automatic.
Ruth was not paid for her work, but 20 years later received a special commission at a ceremony at the newly built Patrol Academy in Columbus. Col. Chiaramonte, at the time, said that he felt the commission was necessary because, "the Patrol doesn't forget who served."
Included in this exhibit is a 2002 interview with then historian Judy Herbstreit, Col. Chiaramonte, and Mrs. Shaw. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have passed away. |
| Year Range from |
1940 |
| Category |
8: Communication Artifact |
| Year range to |
1965 |
| Object ID |
VE6-2010-001 |
| Object Name |
Transcript |
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