On Tuesday, Sept. 17, St. Johns County celebrated the remarkable life and service of Joe Shomo, a resident of St. Augustine and a World War II veteran, during a recognition ceremony held in the St. Johns County Administration Rotunda.
Shomo, who turned 101 on Aug. 21, was honored with a ceremony and a Certificate of Recognition presented during the Board of County Commissioners regular meeting. Family, friends and officials welcomed Shomo, who was provided a police escort by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
Born in South Fork, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 21, 1923, Shomo grew up in Derry, Pennsylvania, where he developed a love for baseball and basketball. After graduating high school in 1941, he attended the University of Indiana in Pennsylvania until he was drafted into the U.S. Army on May 24, 1943.
Shomo underwent basic training and specialized as a T5 radio repairman, serving in various locations, including Fort McClellan, Alabama, and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He was deployed to France, where he provided critical radio repair support during the war. Following his honorable discharge on Feb. 9, 1946, he continued his education, earning degrees in education and accounting.
In addition to his military service, Shomo had a successful career working for several notable companies, including IBM, Trans World Airlines, Mack Trucks, U.S. Steel and Hamilton Oil. He has lived in cities such as Baltimore, Jacksonville and Littleton, Colorado. He married Marcella Shomo on July 21, 1960, and they enjoyed nearly 50 years together before her passing. In 1996, he made St. Augustine his home, where he continues to enjoy retirement.
The ceremony featured remarks from officials, including U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, St. Johns County District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst, St. Johns County Veterans Council Chairman Bill Dudley and Ashley Cook, senior regional director for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. The St. Augustine High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) cadets were also present to honor Shomo for his dedication to serving the country.
