Shannon Meehan
Encyclopedia
Captain Shannon P. Meehan is a public speaker, author of a critically acclaimed memoir and spokesman for veterans' issues. He is a retired Captain in the United States Army
. He was a tank platoon leader in the storied 1st Cavalry Division. He served with the U.S. Army in the Iraq War, where he earned the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart
, and an Army Commendation Medal
for Valor, among other honors. In September 2007, Meehan was injured in an IED strike during the Battle of Baqubah
. Meehan spent two years completing rehabilitation and was officially retired in November 2009. Through speaking engagements across the country, Meehan has become a spokesperson for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury
and post traumatic stress disorder.
, Shannon attended Upper Darby High School
, where in 2001, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the sport of wrestling. He then attended the Virginia Military Institute
, where he lettered in a NCAA Division I wrestling program and graduated as a Distinguished Military graduate and president of an honor society in 2005. He also studied at Oxford University.
In September 2007, Meehan was injured in an IED strike during the Battle of Baqubah. He suffered traumatic brain injury, as well as other physical injuries. He spent two years completing physical and cognitive rehabilitation at Fort Hood’s Darnall Army Hospital. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and an Army Commendation for Valor in combat, among other honors.
He was officially retired in November 2009.
's Book of the Month for the month of its international release. Beyond Duty was called “powerful and heart-breaking” by acclaimed author Tim O’Brien
.
. He sought to replace Nicholas Micozzie
, the thirty-two year Republican incumbent. Meehan ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the Democratic primary on May 18, 2010. He lost to Micozzie on November 2, 2010.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He was a tank platoon leader in the storied 1st Cavalry Division. He served with the U.S. Army in the Iraq War, where he earned the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, and an Army Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
for Valor, among other honors. In September 2007, Meehan was injured in an IED strike during the Battle of Baqubah
Battle of Baqubah
The Battle of Baqubah took place during the Iraq War in the capital of the Iraqi province Diyala, to the north-east of Baghdad...
. Meehan spent two years completing rehabilitation and was officially retired in November 2009. Through speaking engagements across the country, Meehan has become a spokesperson for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury , also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism , or other features...
and post traumatic stress disorder.
Early life
Born and raised in Delaware County, PennsylvaniaDelaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
, Shannon attended Upper Darby High School
Upper Darby High School
Upper Darby High School is a four-year public high school located in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, United States, as part of the Upper Darby School District. UDHS is also the oldest high school in Delaware County, PA, having been established in 1895...
, where in 2001, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the sport of wrestling. He then attended the Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
, where he lettered in a NCAA Division I wrestling program and graduated as a Distinguished Military graduate and president of an honor society in 2005. He also studied at Oxford University.
Military career
Following graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s armor branch, and in May 2006, he was assigned to the First Battalion of the 12th Cavalry Regiment of the First Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas. In October 2006, Shannon deployed to Iraq. While deployed overseas as a tank platoon leader, Meehan led over 700 combat and civil operations while commanding a large area of land inside Iraq’s Diyala Province. He also managed and oversaw investments to improve infrastructures and civil and economic growth within his area of land. Meehan was rated his battalion's Top Platoon Leader.In September 2007, Meehan was injured in an IED strike during the Battle of Baqubah. He suffered traumatic brain injury, as well as other physical injuries. He spent two years completing physical and cognitive rehabilitation at Fort Hood’s Darnall Army Hospital. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and an Army Commendation for Valor in combat, among other honors.
He was officially retired in November 2009.
Author
While completing rehabilitation at Fort Hood, Meehan wrote the nationally acclaimed memoir, Beyond Duty (written with Roger Thompson, Polity Press), which chronicles firsthand the challenges facing soldiers in today's wars. Released in September 2009, Beyond Duty has become the fastest-selling book in the press's history, and was named Military Writer's Society of AmericaMilitary Writer's Society of America
The Military Writers Society of America, also known as the MWSA, is not-for-profit association of several hundred authors, poets, and artists, most of whom are U.S. military veterans or family members of veterans...
's Book of the Month for the month of its international release. Beyond Duty was called “powerful and heart-breaking” by acclaimed author Tim O’Brien
Tim O'Brien (author)
Tim O'Brien is an American novelist who often writes about his experiences in the Vietnam War and the impact the war had on the American servicemen who fought there...
.
Speaker and veterans advocate
Shannon has traveled the country sharing his story, speaking at places including the U.S.C. Law School, Harvard, West Point, Virginia Military Institute, Syracuse University, and Upper Darby High School. He has discussed his experiences and the importance of narrative for soldiers on CNN, NBC, and in The New York Times, where his own Op-Ed piece, "Distant Wars, Constant Ghosts," became the most-viewed Op-Ed of that week. Shannon has become an advocate for veterans, and is considered the face of those suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), injuries specific to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, who have gone on to lead successful lives.2010 Pennsylvania State House Campaign
On March 3, 2010, Shannon Meehan announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 163Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 163
The 163rd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located within Delaware County, Pennsylvania and includes the following areas:* Darby Township ,* Ridley Township...
. He sought to replace Nicholas Micozzie
Nicholas Micozzie
Nicholas Anthony Micozzie is an American politician from Pennsylvania who serves as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He is Republican Chairman of the House Insurance Committee and is also a member of the House Health and Human Services Committee.-Career:Micozzie got his start...
, the thirty-two year Republican incumbent. Meehan ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the Democratic primary on May 18, 2010. He lost to Micozzie on November 2, 2010.