William McShane

Second Lieutenant Bill McShane enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in the PLC program in 1961in a reserve capacity.  Discharged as a corporal in 1964 and commissioned as a second lieutenant, he was designated as a naval aviator in 1965 and was deployed to the Caribbean and then Fleet Marine Force Pacific, Vietnam.

As a helicopter aircraft commander, Second Lieutenant McShane flew daily sorties in support of Marine combat operations in I Corps region stretching from Chu Lai to the DMZ. Following service in Vietnam, he was assigned as a flight instructor at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

His decorations include 35 awards of the Air Medal representing over 700 combat missions, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and New York State’s Conspicuous Service Cross and Service Star.

Second Lieutenant McShane left active duty in December 1968 and was appointed a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in February 1969, retiring in December 1992 as a supervisory special agent in the Special Operations Branch. Since retirement, he has held corporate management positions, been an adjunct professor, and is currently an investigator under contract to the Department of Homeland Security.

Recognizing the role military service played in his life, he continues to support our veterans and servicemen and women as President and CEO of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airman and Coast Guard Club, Chief of Staff for the Veteran Corps of Artillery, past New York Commander of the Military Order of Foreign Wars and Vice President of the Order of Lafayette.

Second Lieutenant McShane and his wife, Joyce, are the proud parents of two accomplished children and five beautiful grandchildren.