Biographical Note
Peter Shemonsky was born in West Prussia, Germany, on January 22, 1878. After immigrating to the United States, Shemonsky enlisted in the United States Army on March 16, 1898, a month before the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Shemonsky began his 30-year military career as a cook and retired in 1928 with the rank of captain in the Quartermaster Corps. He was stationed in Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Puerto Rico, The Philippines, and Panama. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States on April 10, 1916.
Shemonsky began his service at Fort Banks in Wiltrop, Massachusetts, as a cook in the 76th Company of the Coast Artillery Corps. During his second term of service (March 16, 1901-March 15, 1904), Shemonsky wed Olga Butler, whom he was married to until his death. His second and third terms of service were also with the 76th Company at the rank of private. On May 17, 1904, he earned a 1st class gunner badge during this third term of service (March 18, 1904-March 17, 1907). On May 5, 1908, Shemonsky was appointed corporal in the 152nd Company, Coast Artillary Corps during this fourth term (March 18, 1907-March 17, 1910). This was followed by an appointment as sargeant on July 17, 1908 with the same company. On November 18, 1908, he was appointed to the rank of post quartermaster sergeant and traveled to Henry Barracks in Puerto Rico. He would remain as post quartermaster sergeant at the Henry Barracks for a portion of his fifth term (March 18, 1910-March 17, 1913) before moving to Fort Santiago in Manila, Philippines. He remained in the Philippines at the Cuartel de España before moving to Camp Eagle Pass, along the United States-Mexico border, in Eagle Pass, Texas for his sixth term (March 18, 1913-March 17, 1917). His seventh term of service (March 18, 1917-October 11, 1917) began in Camp Eagle Pass as quartermaster sergeant. Soon after, Shemonsky was appointed to the rank of captain. He would move on to Camp MacArthur in Waco, Texas, during this time as well. His eighth term (October 12, 1917-October 25, 1919) also began in Waco and ended at Camp Meade in Maryland, as captain of the Quartermaster Corps. His ninth and final enlistment term began on October 28, 1919, at Fort Jay in New York, and ended at Camp Gaillard at the Canal Zone as technical sergeant of the Quartermaster Corps on October 4, 1920. After each enlistment term, Shemonsky was honorably discharged and described as "excellent" in character.
Shemonsky was appointed first lieutenant of the Quartermaster Corps on July 1, 1920. He earned a temporary appointment to captain on February 2, 1921. He returned to his previous rank of first lieutenant on June 20, 1922. On September 7, 1927, Shemonsky was appointed captain of the Quartermaster Corps, a position he retained until his retirement on December 2, 1928. He was stationed in Kentucky for the latter portion of his career. He returned to Wilton, Conneticut, after his retirement. Following the outbreak of World War II, he attempted to reenlist in 1942, but was unable due to his advanced age. He would instead join the Civilian Defense Force, a part of the Conneticut Defence Council. Peter Shemonsky died on December 2, 1943, in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was survived by his wife, Olga.