Donald Wilt Shive Jr.

LTC (Ret) Donald Wilt Shive, Jr., U.S. Army, was born in North Carolina October 16, 1941, to Colonel Donald W. Shive and Alice Frances LaGarde Shive. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Don attended the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA), New York and graduated in 1964. His father graduated from the Academy in 1937. Because his father was a military officer, Don lived in many different places growing up.

After graduation from USMA, Don was assigned to Armor Branch. He attended Airborne and Ranger schools before going to his first Armor assignment in what was then post-World War II West Germany during the Cold War.

Don served two tours in Vietnam. His first tour was as an Infantry Company Commander in the 101st Airborne Division (1967-1968). On February 4, 1968, he earned a Silver Star in Vietnam for extraordinary heroism and profound concern for his men while engaged in close combat against a numerically superior enemy force. During his second tour, he served as an advisor to the Vietnamese in the Military Assistance Command (1971-1972).

Don attended graduate school at Ohio State University where he earned a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering in 1975. He was also a graduate of the Program Management Course at the Defense Systems Management College, now Defense Acquisition University.

While serving as an Armor Battalion Executive Officer at Fort Hood, Texas, he met his future wife, Rachel, a Captain serving as Chief of Protocol for Fort Hood. They were married in 1984.

The M-1 Tank Program was a major initiative for the Army in the 1980s. Don served as Test and Evaluation Officer and Program Manager for the Army M-1 Tank Program during this crucial assignment at the Pentagon. He moved the Tank Program forward in many ways, for example, by ensuring the tank could operate using a back-up mechanical system should the computer system fail.

He and Rachel were assigned to USMA from 1987-1990 where he served as Commander of the First Battalion, First Infantry (the Garrison Battalion) and as Director of Operations, Plans and Security on the Superintendent's staff. Rachel served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership.

His last assignment before retirement was as a Senior Armor Advisor to the Saudi Arabian Royal Army during Desert Storm (1990 - 1991) where he took an active part in the battle for the liberation of Kuwait.

Don enjoyed swimming, reading history, running, and restoring cars. During a collegiate swim meet, Don introduced the flip turn in the 500-yard freestyle and won the event against the Navy champion. From then on, the flip turn became the standard in collegiate swimming. Don lettered in swimming and set several records at USMA.

Don was one of the most highly decorated officers in his USMA class having earned many medals including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with 'V' device for valor.

After his retirement, Don accompanied Rachel to her assignment to Turkey. While there he became an expert in Turkish history and culture. He also served as a tour guide for various friends and family who visited.

Later Don and Rachel moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where he continued to enjoy reading history and running. He was also able to restore his beloved 1963 VW and 1978 BMW. Don was also very active in his church, the Raleigh Meditation Group.

He had many friends. He was so interested in people they were drawn to him. He saw them as individuals and they knew he cared. He was also very willing to serve. He always pitched in when he saw a need.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children Donald W. Shive III, David A. Shive, and Karen Shive Zarabi, and by his grandchildren, Faith Shive, Yasmin Zarabi, and Alexander Zarabi. His seven siblings, Frannie Blumenkopf, Barbara Gallo, Jack Shive, Gene Shive, Jane Breslin, Judy Gabriel, and Sarah Kenezevich will miss him greatly along with Rachel's large extended family.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions can be donated to the Raleigh Meditation Group, 200 Morrisville Square Way, Suite 101-102, Morrisville, NC 27560.

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