Stanley Shapiro

Stanley Shapiro was born in Brooklyn, New York in June 1934. His family moved to Jersey City, New Jersey and then to Vineland, New Jersey. 

In 1950, he enlisted with some friends at the age of 16 into the New Jersey National Guard, trained as a tank gunner, and said he found Army life interesting. Shapiro drilled in Bridgeton, New Jersey as well as at Pine Camp, Fort Drum, New York, and learned how to drive both cars and tanks. After only four months, Shapiro was let go, since he had concealed the fact that he was a minor. Upon graduating high school in 1952, he enlisted in the US Navy, which had been his father’s branch of service.

Shapiro stated he had a good time in Bainbridge, Maryland, at boot camp, which lasted for a few months. His adjustment from civilian to military life was a smooth one. He was taught firefighting as well as how to shoot multiple types of guns. There was talk of his being sent to Corpsman School. Shapiro tested high enough to attend Aviation Ordnance School in Jacksonville, Florida. He noted the older men did not care for the younger, newer ones joining them, and that some pilots learning to fly had fatal crashes.

Shapiro was sent to join VF143 Fighter Squadron at NAS Naval Air Station Miramar in California. The planes carried bombs and weapons. He knew how to service bombs, as he was in Aviation Fire Control. NAS Naval Air Station North Island, also in California, was where he went for six months. Shapiro also worked in service as a Storeroom Expediter. He flew to NAS Naval Air Station Atsugi in Japan, new Yokohama. Flying was rarer than going by ship. Still, there were stops that were made in transit. Shapiro served aboard the aircraft carrier USS ORISKENY.

Shapiro made the rank of E-5 and was discharged from the Navy in June 1956. He joined the Jewish War Veterans Ocean/ Asbury Park Post 125, where he served as Post Commander, and went to speak to other chapters in his spare time as Council Commander for Monmouth and Ocean counties. Shapiro was a champion and advocate for New Jersey veterans. He went to Monmouth College and graduated in 1961, and then Seton Hall University, with the GI Bill. His motivation for enlisting had been for the opportunity to afford higher education. Shapiro credited his excellent people skills with lessons learned in the military.

Among Shapiro’s service awards are the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Stanley Shapiro passed peacefully at the age of 87 on April 4, 2022 after a long illness.