Samuel Shaffer papers

Samuel Shaffer (1910-1995) received his bachelor of arts degree in 1931 from The George Washington University, graduating cum laude. He pursued graduate study at the University of Michigan (1931) and at the University of Chicago (1932-1933). He began his journalist career as a reporter From 1936-42, for the "Washington Herald," later the "Washington Times Herald." From 1942-45, he served as a combat correspondent in the U.S. Marines Corps. For his military service in, World War II, Shaffer received the Purple Heart, two battle stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation. After his military service, Shaffer was employed by "Newsweek" magazine as a reporter in New York city (1945-46) and in 1947 was promoted to Chief Congressional Correspondent, a position which he held until 1975.

In 1945 Shaffer's first book, "Betio Beachhead: U.S. Marines' Own Story of the Battle for Tarawa," co-authored with Earl J. Wilson, Jim G. Lucas and C. Peter Zurlinden, was published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. His second book, "On and Off the Floor: Thirty Years as a Correspondent on Capitol Hill," was published by "Newsweek" in 1980. Shaffer is a member of the National Press Club, the White House Correspondents Association, the Periodical Galleries Association, of which he was president (1975-76), and The George Washington University Faculty and Alumni Club.

Samuel Shaffer was born in Washington, D.C. on July 10, 1910 to Morris and Fannie (Siegel) Shaffer. On July 9, 1933 he married a fellow-journalist, Helen Buchalter. They had three children. Helen died on July 18, 1978. Mr. Shaffer died in 1995.

[This exerpt is from Locher, Frances C. Contem orar Authors Volume 104 (Michigan: Gale Research Company, 1982), 424.]