About a year ago Colored Reflections received a email from William L. Shellman, he introduced himself and told us he was very interested in history and wanted to share some things with Colored Reflections. That was the start of a great friendship. This one person has encouraged us and kept us going through our continuing research.

Billl is a historian, he has lectured and traveled the world over. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, December 9, 1927. Growing up as a young child his father was his role model, his father died when he was very young and his mother would die four years later.

Bill's family started in Chickamauga, GA. From there they moved to Springfield, OH where Bill grew up. Bill was the youngest of four children. During the 1940's segregation was the law of the land. The economy was tight for everyone.

In his hometown he would see young soldiers coming home on leave in their uniforms, and it would seem like their pockets were lined with money, plus they would get all the girls.

Bill was just 16 years old when he tried to join the army. He was too young and was not excepted at that time. After turning 17 years old, he was finally able to join. Before he and his sister went downtown to the post office to get him enlisted, his sister told him to put a little soot under his nose so that it would appear that he was finally growing facial hair. Elizabeth his beloved sister was also his guardian, and she had to sign for him to join. He was accepted and this young boy was soon to became a young man.

After training he was sent to Japan and soon became apart of the 24th Infantry Regiment, at Gifu, Japan. In Gifu, he was stationed at Camp Majestic and found his brother, Theodore who had joined the Army some time before. Although it was against regulations for brothers to be in the same unit, his First Seargent allowed them to remain togather. Theodore had only a few months left before he would return state side.(The 24th Infantry was known as "Buffalo Soldiers."Historically the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments had been activated in 1869 and had seen action in Cuba with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough riders. They had also pursued Poncho all over Mexico but never caught him).

After spending 10 years in the Army he left and then joined the Air Force. In the Air Force he was to have a once in a lifetime experience and that experience took him to the North Pole. He was stationed in Alaska.He was offered a job at the North Pole and there he spent three months. The exact location was T-3. He worked as a heavy equipment operator. His job was to keep snow off the runway so that airplanes could land.

During that three months he discovered markers left by Matthew Henson and Commander Robert Peary's expedition. At the time he didn't realize what a discovery he had made, however he would never forget it. He had gone to the top of the world and walked in Henson's footsteps. After 10 years he retired from out the Air Force and started writing and lecturing.

This remarkable gentleman has experienced many wonderful adventures in his lifetime, including having a loving wife and six children. Now he shares his great adventures with anyone who will listen. He lectures at Universities and civic groups. He is also an author and is currently writing about his adventures at the North Pole. Global Warming is another project that he is studying.

Bill Shellman is remarkable indeed. He can be called upon at anytime day or night, and if he can help he is there for you. With everything he is involved in, he finds time for another love and that is his Tenor Saxphone. He can play the best of swing, jazz and be-boop and other music from the late '30's, 40's and 50's.

Colored Reflections would like to thank Mr. William Shellman again for his many contributions to this site. With his knowledge he has helped fill in gaps of time that he lived through and had all the answers when we had no other course. Thanks for all of your mentoring