Mr. Shelton was a native of West Point and the son of Mr. George Shelton, Sr. He was born in 1931 and attended school in West Point. He entered the Army in 1948 and was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division, a battle hardened Army unit that was insturmental in the retaking of the Philippines during World War II.

In July of 1950, the 24th Division was the first unit to arrive on the Korean peninsula to defend against the invasion by the Army of North Korea. Although greatly outnumbered, the 24th Division fought a number of delaying actions and slowed the North Korean offensive. These delaying actions were vital to allow the buildup of United Nations forces near Pusan. The efforts of the 24th Division were so successful, they were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army).

Private Shelton and other elemens of the 24th Division found themselves in combat just days after arrival in Pusan Korea. Upon arrival they boarded trains north and set up roadblacks at Pyongtaek, and Ansong. On July 5th, North Korean tanks approched the positions of the the 24th at Osan. The defenders opened fire with artillery and bazookas, destroying 4 tanks but failing to stop the advance. North Korean infantry followed the tanks and almost succeeded in surrounding the Battalion of defenders. By early afternoon, the 24th pulled back, taking out as many wounded as they could and withdrew to the next blocking position at Ansong.

The battle at Osan was typical of those fought by the 24th during the first weeks and months of the war. The men of the 24th Division would dig in and fight the North Koreans, inflicting damage and casualties and then would fall back throught the lines of the next defensive line and would dig in. This leap frogging slowed the North Korean advance and gave precious time to the United Nations forces arriving daily at Pusan. Were it not for the bravery and tenacity of the 24th Division, the North Korean army might have met little resistance and possibly could have captured all of Korea.

During these series of battles, Private Shelton, who was stationed on the front lines, was hit by small arms fire during combat operations and killed on November 11, 1950. His body was returned to the United States aboard the USS Woodstock Victory on April 7, 1951. He was the second Clay County fatality of the Korean War.