From left: Bob Conley, Ronald Truex, Donald Shively, Bradford Jackson and Rich Maron.

WARSAW — Donald Shively was honored as Veteran of the Month at the Tuesday, Dec. 1, Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting in Warsaw. Rich Maron, veteran’s affairs officer, presented the award.

Shively was born in March, 1922, and has resided in Claypool for most of his life. He married his wife, Fran, Feb. 14, 1944, in California, just a few months before leaving for World War II.

He was inducted into basic training Nov. 11, 1942, at what is now Fort Rucker, Ala., then was moved to Tennessee. From Tennessee, Shively moved to Arizona on July 4, 1943, where it was 117 degrees.

On June 6, 1944, Shively went to Camp Beale, Calif., and on to Hawaii, for advanced jungle training.

Shively boarded a ship and went to Guadalcanal, where a task force was gathering to invade the Palau Islands of Anguar and Pelelui. The Marines landed on Pelelui and the Army landed on Anguar. Around 20,000 lives were lost in those battles.

Shively’s unit was preparing to land in Japan, but the surrender of Japan changed plans and he was sent as an occupational troop.

After the war, Shively returned and worked for Standard Oil for 29 years, delivering oil and fuel in the local area. Upon retiring, he began delivering school buses until just a few years ago.

Shively and his wife loved sports and held Warsaw High School season tickets for 47 years. They also attended around 300 Chicago Cubs games. Since the passing of his wife, Shively has spent most of his time tinkering around the house, taking care of the lawn and spending time with his family.

In other business:

Randy Hall, corporate vice president of Cardinal Services, requested approval of the hiring of Robert Cunningham as general manager. Cunningham has more than 25 years of management experience and a degree from Ball State University. The commissioners approved the decision.

No further business came before the commissioners and the meeting was adjourned. The next Kosciusko County Commissioner’s meeting will be at 9 am. Tuesday, Dec. 15.