Birth of Clay Lavergne Shaw
Clay Lavergne Shaw was born in Kentwood, Louisiana, on March 17, 1913.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Clay LaVerne Shaw Biography and Timeline
Follow Clay LaVerne Shaw through 65 dated historical records for United States of America.
Clay LaVerne Shaw, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
65Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1913–1968Years on this page
1913
1920
Move to New Orleans
By 1920, Shaw's family had moved from Kentwood to New Orleans, where he spent much of his youth.
1928
Warren Easton High School Graduation
Shaw graduated from Warren Easton High School in New Orleans in 1928.
1930
Western Union Employment
Shaw worked for Western Union in New Orleans before the company later transferred him to New York City.
1935
Western Union New York Transfer
Western Union transferred Shaw from New Orleans to New York City in 1935.
1942
United States Army Enlistment
Shaw enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 during the Second World War.
1943
Promotion to Second Lieutenant
The Army promoted Shaw to second lieutenant in 1943 after his wartime enlistment.
1944
D-Day Support Organization
While serving with General Thrasher, Shaw helped support organizational and supply work connected with the D-Day invasion.
Aide-de-Camp to Charles Thrasher
Shaw served as aide-de-camp to General Charles Thrasher during the Second World War.
1945
Bronze Star Award
Shaw received the Bronze Star for his service in the United States Army during the Second World War.
Croix de Guerre Award
France awarded Shaw the Croix de Guerre for his wartime military service.
Legion of Merit Award
Shaw received the Legion of Merit for his United States Army service during the Second World War.
Promotion to Major
Before the end of the Second World War, Shaw was promoted to the rank of major.
1946
Army Discharge
Shaw was discharged from the United States Army in 1946 after completing his wartime service.
Postwar Return to New Orleans
After his Army discharge, Shaw returned to New Orleans and resumed his civilian career.
1947
International Trade Mart Managing Director
Shaw became managing director of the developing International Trade Mart in New Orleans after returning from military service.
1948
International Trade Mart First Location
Under Shaw's management, the International Trade Mart opened its first location in 1948.
1950
Latin American Trade Development
At the International Trade Mart, Shaw helped expand commercial relationships between New Orleans and Latin American companies.
1955
Trade Mart Building Financing
Shaw helped secure financing for the major International Trade Mart building project in New Orleans.
Trade Mart Tenant Recruitment
Shaw worked to attract tenants needed for the planned International Trade Mart building.
1959
International Trade Mart Tower Development
Shaw helped advance development of the thirty-three-story International Trade Mart Building as part of his long business career.
1960
Audubon Cottages Preservation
Shaw participated in preservation work involving the historic Audubon Cottages on Dauphine Street in the French Quarter.
Spanish Stables Preservation
Shaw supported restoration of the historic Spanish Stables complex on Governor Nicholls Street in New Orleans.
1965
International Trade Mart Retirement
Shaw retired from the International Trade Mart in 1965 after years as one of its leading administrators.
1966
Garrison Investigation Resumed
Jim Garrison resumed his Kennedy assassination investigation in November 1966, eventually directing attention toward Clay Shaw.
First Garrison Interview
Garrison first interviewed Shaw in connection with the renewed assassination investigation in December 1966.
1967
Perry Russo Located
Garrison's office located Perry Russo after a newspaper article quoted Russo making statements concerning David Ferrie.
Sciambra Interview of Perry Russo
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Sciambra interviewed Perry Russo in Baton Rouge before Russo became the prosecution's principal witness against Shaw.
Four State Witnesses Presented
Louisiana presented four witnesses at Shaw's preliminary hearing as prosecutors attempted to establish probable cause for the assassination conspiracy charge.
Preliminary Hearing Opens
A three-judge state panel began Shaw's preliminary hearing on March 14, 1967, to determine whether probable cause supported the conspiracy charge.
Russo Preliminary Hearing Testimony
At the preliminary hearing, Perry Russo testified that Shaw, Oswald, and Ferrie had participated in a discussion about killing President Kennedy.
Vernon Bundy Preliminary Testimony
Vernon Bundy testified at Shaw's preliminary hearing that he had seen Shaw conversing with Oswald near Lake Pontchartrain.
Orleans Parish Grand Jury Indictment
The Orleans Parish grand jury indicted Shaw for conspiracy to murder President Kennedy on March 22, 1967.
Probable Cause Ruling
The three-judge panel ruled that sufficient evidence had been presented to continue the conspiracy prosecution against Shaw.
State Requests Trial Date
Louisiana prosecutors moved on August 1, 1967, to have a trial date selected in the case against Shaw.
Continuance and Venue Request
On September 27, 1967, Shaw requested a continuance or a change of venue because of concerns surrounding the prosecution.
Trial Continued to February
After a hearing on Shaw's request, the state court continued the conspiracy case until February 1968.
1968
Change of Venue Motion
Shaw formally sought a change of venue on February 19, 1968, citing the extensive publicity surrounding the case.
Venue Evidentiary Hearing
The trial court conducted an extensive evidentiary hearing on Shaw's request to move the conspiracy trial away from New Orleans.
Venue Motion Denied
The Criminal District Court denied Shaw's change-of-venue motion on April 4, 1968.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.