Percival L. Shangraw participant of World War I
Military career
Shangraw joined the Vermont National Guard's 1st Infantry Regiment shortly before World War I.  This unit was federalized as the 57th Pioneer Infantry Regiment, and completed its training at Camp Greene, North Carolina and Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, and Shangraw advanced through the ranks to become sergeant major of his battalion.  Upon arrival in France, the 57th Pioneer Infantry was designated to provide replacement troops for the 83rd Division, and Shangraw completed officer training and received a second lieutenant's commission in early September 1918.  Shangraw was promoted to first lieutenant later that month, and was one of a small number of soldiers designated to reconstitute the regiment and prepare it for transfer to the front lines.  The war ended before their training was complete, and Shangraw was with the regiment when it was discharged at Camp Devens, Massachusetts in August 1919.During World War II, Shangraw was commissioned as a captain in the Vermont State Guard, which performed home guard duties while the Vermont National Guard served overseas.  He commanded Company I, 3rd Battalion, which was based in St. Albans, and he was promoted to major before the end of the war.