John Shelby McQueary was born on January 27, 1900, in Little Cake, Adair County, Kentucky, to James Martin and Nancy P. Fitzpatrick McQueary. He was one of eight children, with three sisters and four brothers. After completing his education, he worked as a farmer.

Following the United States’ entry into World War I, McQueary enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard, joining Company F of the Second Kentucky Infantry Regiment. He was subsequently sent to Camp Stanley near Lexington, then to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, before deploying to France.  This unit was federalized and became part of the U.S. Army, where he was assigned to Company L, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.

On July 18, 1918, during the Battle of Soissons—a significant engagement in the Aisne-Marne Offensive in France aimed at halting the German advance—Private McQueary was killed in action  at the age of 18.

Initially interred in France, his remains were repatriated in May 1921 and laid to rest in New Hope Cemetery in Ella, Adair County, Kentucky.

In some records, his surname appears as “McQuary.” Although his home was in Columbia, Kentucky, he often visited the family of C.M. Estes, and during his stays, he won many friends.