• Charles Shay, a Native American D-Day veteran, died at 101 in France.
• He received numerous awards for his bravery as a medic on Omaha Beach.
• Shay worked tirelessly for recognition of Native Americans' contributions in WWII.
• He expressed sadness over current global conflicts, reflecting on past wars.

Charles Shay, a decorated Native American veteran, passed away at the age of 101 on December 3, 2025, at his home in Bretteville-L'Orgueilleuse, Normandy, France. Shay, known for his heroic actions as a 19-year-old medic during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, saved numerous lives, earning awards such as the Silver Star and France's Legion of Honor. Shay had been living in France since 2018, near Omaha Beach, where he felt a connection to his fallen comrades, stating, "I believe that I can talk with the souls of the men that are still wandering on the beach here" according to Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and Le Monde.

During the D-Day landings, approximately 160,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches, facing immense challenges, with 4,414 lost that day. Shay's repeated efforts to rescue critically wounded soldiers exemplified his selflessness. “I guess I was prepared to give my life if I had to. Fortunately, I did not have to,” he reflected in a later interview, according to Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and Reuters.

Aside from his valor during the war, Shay was also influential in advocating for the recognition of Native American contributions to the military. He was instrumental in establishing a memorial for Native Americans who fought in World War II at Omaha Beach. The Charles Shay Memorial group paid tribute to him after his passing, stating that “Charles leaves a legacy of love, service, courage, spirit, duty and family that continues to shine brightly," according to Le Monde, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.

After the war, Shay reenlisted due to the challenges faced by Native Americans in Maine, where the voting rights of individuals living on Native reservations were limited until 1954. He later served in the Korean War and participated in significant international military operations. Shay began sharing his experiences publicly around 2007 and used his platform to promote peace, especially during moments of global conflict. He expressed sorrow over the ongoing situation in Ukraine, stating, "we thought we'd bring peace to the world. But it's not possible," according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.