Lt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMCLt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMCUSAFA, Class of 1989USAFA, Class of 1989

Memorial Bust/Figure Memorial Bust/Figure Justification forJustification forDedication intoDedication into

The Hall of HeroesThe Hall of Heroesat the USAF Academyat the USAF Academy

15 March 200715 March 2007Memorial Board PresentationMemorial Board Presentation

Lt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMCLt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMC

• Inspirational LeaderInspirational Leader

• War Hero Twice OverWar Hero Twice Over

• Exemplary MarineExemplary Marine

• Family ManFamily Man

• Model Warrior for USAFA and All Service Model Warrior for USAFA and All Service Academy CadetsAcademy Cadets

Lt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMCLt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMC• Lt Col Shea knew his goal was to serve as a line Lt Col Shea knew his goal was to serve as a line

officer in the US Marine Corp.officer in the US Marine Corp.• His desire came true in May 1989 when he was His desire came true in May 1989 when he was

granted a cross-commission into the USMC as a granted a cross-commission into the USMC as a 22ndnd Lt. after completing his USAFA B. of S. in Lt. after completing his USAFA B. of S. in General EngineeringGeneral Engineering

• He served combat duty in various conflicts and He served combat duty in various conflicts and operations distinctively, paving the way for future operations distinctively, paving the way for future USAFA cross-commissions into the USMC – USAFA cross-commissions into the USMC – a proven combat warrior and soldier that started a proven combat warrior and soldier that started his career at the USAFA Prep School & USAFAhis career at the USAFA Prep School & USAFA

Inspirational LeaderInspirational Leader• Company Commander, Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Platoon Commander,

Operations Officer, Executive Officer. Operations Officer, Executive Officer.

• Selected to be a Battalion Commander.Selected to be a Battalion Commander.

• Support Company Detachment Commander, for the 9Support Company Detachment Commander, for the 9thth Communications Battalion in OPERATION DESERT STORMCommunications Battalion in OPERATION DESERT STORM

• Liaison Officer for Marine Forces Central Command Liaison Officer for Marine Forces Central Command (MARCENT) G-6, and JCSE Task Force Commander, (MARCENT) G-6, and JCSE Task Force Commander, Combined Special Operations Task Force, during Combined Special Operations Task Force, during OPERATION DESERT THUNDEROPERATION DESERT THUNDER

• Communications Officer (G-6) Regimental Combat Team 1 Communications Officer (G-6) Regimental Combat Team 1 (RCT-1), 1(RCT-1), 1stst Marine Div, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM II Marine Div, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM II

Inspirational LeaderInspirational Leader• Lt Col Shea’s superior leadership with Regimental Lt Col Shea’s superior leadership with Regimental

Combat Team 1 (RCT-1) in Iraq, led to the total Combat Team 1 (RCT-1) in Iraq, led to the total success of completely destroying the enemy in success of completely destroying the enemy in Fallujah from September - November 2004 Fallujah from September - November 2004

• Leadership in both Fallujah 1 & 2 operations, also Leadership in both Fallujah 1 & 2 operations, also known as OPERATION VIGILANT RESOLVE & known as OPERATION VIGILANT RESOLVE & OPERATION AL FAJR OPERATION AL FAJR

• Lt Col Shea was killed during an attack on the unit Lt Col Shea was killed during an attack on the unit command center by an enemy 122mm rocket on command center by an enemy 122mm rocket on the 14the 14thth of September 2004, his 38 of September 2004, his 38thth birthday. birthday.

• He was selected to Lt Col prior to Sept 2004 and He was selected to Lt Col prior to Sept 2004 and posthumously promoted.posthumously promoted.

War Hero Twice Over and MoreWar Hero Twice Over and More• Deployed and engaged in OPERATION DESERT Deployed and engaged in OPERATION DESERT

STORM with the 9STORM with the 9thth Communications Battalion, 1 Communications Battalion, 1stst MARDIV (I MEF)MARDIV (I MEF)– His direct efforts aided in the successful change and His direct efforts aided in the successful change and

implementation from teletype to digital communications implementation from teletype to digital communications which became a key to winning the overall war in which became a key to winning the overall war in support of MEBs assigned to the unitsupport of MEBs assigned to the unit

• Commanded Charlie Company (Airborne), Commanded Charlie Company (Airborne), Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), Operations Division, Plans and Engineering officerOperations Division, Plans and Engineering officer– Supported 4 US Special Operations Command missionsSupported 4 US Special Operations Command missions

• JCSE Task Force Commander during OPERATION JCSE Task Force Commander during OPERATION DESERT THUNDERDESERT THUNDER– Thwarted Saddam Hussein’s threats against Kuwait Thwarted Saddam Hussein’s threats against Kuwait

sovereigntysovereignty

War HeroWar Hero• His direct efforts as Communications Officer G-6 in RCT-1, His direct efforts as Communications Officer G-6 in RCT-1,

11stst Marine Division, led to the final victory that plagued Marine Division, led to the final victory that plagued Coalition Forces & Marines since the beginning of Coalition Forces & Marines since the beginning of OPERATION VIGILANT RESOLVE, April 2004, bringing OPERATION VIGILANT RESOLVE, April 2004, bringing much needed peace to the city of Fallujah; led to the much needed peace to the city of Fallujah; led to the successful OPEARTION PHANTOM FURY in Sep-Nov 2004.successful OPEARTION PHANTOM FURY in Sep-Nov 2004.

• His leadership saved lives on convoys which fell under His leadership saved lives on convoys which fell under attack, carrying his commanding officers and ensured attack, carrying his commanding officers and ensured continuous, uninterrupted communications for an continuous, uninterrupted communications for an equivalent of eight battalions over 5000 square mile equivalent of eight battalions over 5000 square mile covering the Al Anbar Province (largest and most covering the Al Anbar Province (largest and most dangerous tactical AOR in Iraq) and Babil Province areas dangerous tactical AOR in Iraq) and Babil Province areas of operations involving secure communications.of operations involving secure communications.

• He directly ensured the Battalion and below levels had He directly ensured the Battalion and below levels had secure combat effective communications saving hundreds secure combat effective communications saving hundreds of lives while destroying hundreds of the enemy.of lives while destroying hundreds of the enemy.

Combat Driven WarriorCombat Driven Warrior

• His experience and expertise led to training His experience and expertise led to training several Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU - several Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU - SOC, Special Operations Command) Force SOC, Special Operations Command) Force Reconnaissance Platoons in deep Reconnaissance Platoons in deep reconnaissance, direct action reconnaissance, direct action communications missionscommunications missions

• Directly supported & led mobile training Directly supported & led mobile training teams in support of combat against teams in support of combat against counter-narcotics missions in LATAM AORcounter-narcotics missions in LATAM AOR

Exemplary Decorated MarineExemplary Decorated Marine• Bronze Star with Bronze “V” device for ValorBronze Star with Bronze “V” device for Valor• Purple HeartPurple Heart• Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star deviceDefense Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star device• Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal• Joint Service Commendation MedalJoint Service Commendation Medal• Navy-Marine Corp Service Commendation Medal, Gold StarNavy-Marine Corp Service Commendation Medal, Gold Star• Joint Service Achievement MedalJoint Service Achievement Medal• Combat Action Ribbon with Bronze StarCombat Action Ribbon with Bronze Star• Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal• SWA Medal with two bronze starsSWA Medal with two bronze stars• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal• Kuwait Liberation Medal (two)Kuwait Liberation Medal (two)

• He was a Jump Master and Combat DiverHe was a Jump Master and Combat Diver

Decorated MarineDecorated Marine• Nominated for the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor Nominated for the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor

device one month before his death.device one month before his death.

• Excerpts from his Bronze Star Citation:Excerpts from his Bronze Star Citation:– ……exceptional leadership and initiative provided reliable exceptional leadership and initiative provided reliable

and consistent tactical communications to RCT-1, which and consistent tactical communications to RCT-1, which attributed directly to saving Marine lives, and enabled attributed directly to saving Marine lives, and enabled timely operational reporting which led to the death or timely operational reporting which led to the death or capture of hundreds of insurgents.capture of hundreds of insurgents.

– His leadership and expertise orchestrated the engineer, His leadership and expertise orchestrated the engineer, installation, operation, and maintenance of the installation, operation, and maintenance of the largest largest tactical regimental communications network in tactical regimental communications network in the history of the Marine Corps.the history of the Marine Corps.

– Read all his entire citations attached as handouts.Read all his entire citations attached as handouts.• This rising star and future commanding leader was This rising star and future commanding leader was

cut short as his career was just blossoming.cut short as his career was just blossoming.

Future Leader Cut ShortFuture Leader Cut Short• He was selected to be the Commanding Officer of the He was selected to be the Commanding Officer of the

9th Communications Battalion which was set for June 20059th Communications Battalion which was set for June 2005 • Ironically this is the same unit that a then Ironically this is the same unit that a then

Lt Col Robert M. Shea commanded during OPERATION Lt Col Robert M. Shea commanded during OPERATION DESERT STORM and the same unit that the then DESERT STORM and the same unit that the then Lt. Kevin M. Shea started his combat exploits in Lt. Kevin M. Shea started his combat exploits in defeating Saddam Hussein’s army in Kuwait. defeating Saddam Hussein’s army in Kuwait.

• Lt. General Robert M. Shea was the former Director for Lt. General Robert M. Shea was the former Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computer Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (J-6)Systems (J-6) C4 Systems for the Joint Chief’s of Staff C4 Systems for the Joint Chief’s of Staff (JCS) &(JCS) & principle advisor to the Chairman, JCS on all C4 principle advisor to the Chairman, JCS on all C4 systems matters w/in the Department of Defense.systems matters w/in the Department of Defense.

• Lt Col Kevin M. Shea is one of the highest ranking Marine’s Lt Col Kevin M. Shea is one of the highest ranking Marine’s to die in the on going OPERATION IRAQ FREEDOM.to die in the on going OPERATION IRAQ FREEDOM.

Family ManFamily Man

• Despite his numerous mission & exercise Despite his numerous mission & exercise deployments, sea duty & combat duty operations, deployments, sea duty & combat duty operations, Lt Col Shea maintained a well balanced and Lt Col Shea maintained a well balanced and healthy family on the home fronthealthy family on the home front

• Spouse Ami, daughter Brenna Shea (12) & son Spouse Ami, daughter Brenna Shea (12) & son Michael Shea (9)Michael Shea (9)

• Involved with community and church, Lt Col Shea Involved with community and church, Lt Col Shea was an exemplary family man & community leaderwas an exemplary family man & community leader

Model for All Academy Cadets

• Honorary US Naval Academy graduate after tenure Honorary US Naval Academy graduate after tenure as Professor of Electrical Engineering at the US as Professor of Electrical Engineering at the US Naval Academy in 2003Naval Academy in 2003– Naval Post Graduate School grad. with a Master’s Naval Post Graduate School grad. with a Master’s

degree in Electrical Engineering (MSEE)degree in Electrical Engineering (MSEE)– Assistant Coach for USN Academy Rugby TeamAssistant Coach for USN Academy Rugby Team

• Lettered on USAFA Varsity Football Team as Lettered on USAFA Varsity Football Team as defensive end on the 1987 Freedom Bowl teamdefensive end on the 1987 Freedom Bowl team

• Played on the USAFA Rugby Team which directly Played on the USAFA Rugby Team which directly contributed to their becoming National Champions contributed to their becoming National Champions in 1989in 1989

Model for All Academy CadetsModel for All Academy Cadets• Career officer with two combat Career officer with two combat

deployments, numerous combat support deployments, numerous combat support deployments and world-wide operational deployments and world-wide operational missionsmissions

• Well decorated and mission orientedWell decorated and mission oriented

• He epitomized the USAFA cadet & USAF He epitomized the USAFA cadet & USAF character and core values mold/motto:character and core values mold/motto:– Integrity 1st, Service Before Self, Excellence In Integrity 1st, Service Before Self, Excellence In

All We DoAll We Do

• Lt Col Kevin M. Shea exemplified the USMC Lt Col Kevin M. Shea exemplified the USMC core values: core values: Honor, Courage & CommitmentHonor, Courage & Commitment

Model for All CadetsModel for All Cadets• First of a kind combat casualty Golf Tournament First of a kind combat casualty Golf Tournament

named in his honor to raise funds for the Lt Col named in his honor to raise funds for the Lt Col Kevin M. Shea Memorial Scholarship Fund which Kevin M. Shea Memorial Scholarship Fund which benefits children of the US Marine Corpsbenefits children of the US Marine Corps

• Lt Col Shea demonstrates he is deserving of being Lt Col Shea demonstrates he is deserving of being amongst those dedicated in the Mall of Heroesamongst those dedicated in the Mall of Heroes– Lt Col Shea is the third USMC cross- commission from Lt Col Shea is the third USMC cross- commission from

USAFA to be killed in on-going combat operations and USAFA to be killed in on-going combat operations and the first to die since the Vietnam war.the first to die since the Vietnam war.

– He is the first and thus far only USAFA Class of 1989 to He is the first and thus far only USAFA Class of 1989 to die in the War Against Terror in Iraq and elsewheredie in the War Against Terror in Iraq and elsewhere

– Kevin is the first ever USAFA graduate with an Honorary Kevin is the first ever USAFA graduate with an Honorary US Naval Academy graduate title to die in combat ops.US Naval Academy graduate title to die in combat ops.

– He is the only cross-commission USAFA Preparatory He is the only cross-commission USAFA Preparatory school graduate to die in combat; USAFA Prep Sch 1985school graduate to die in combat; USAFA Prep Sch 1985

What the Leadership Saw in KevinWhat the Leadership Saw in Kevin• The then commander of RCT-1 (Col. John Toolan):The then commander of RCT-1 (Col. John Toolan):• ““He played a role in both Fallujah 1 & 2, in that the He played a role in both Fallujah 1 & 2, in that the

entire RCT command and control system was entire RCT command and control system was created and developed by Kevin and served to created and developed by Kevin and served to facilitate the smooth execution of all combat facilitate the smooth execution of all combat operations, even after he was killed.” operations, even after he was killed.”

• ““The reality of his role as the RCT G-6, was that he The reality of his role as the RCT G-6, was that he was tireless, incredibly courageous during several was tireless, incredibly courageous during several ambushes, and always took care of his Marines ambushes, and always took care of his Marines and Sailors before himself. He epitomized selfless and Sailors before himself. He epitomized selfless service, and was widely loved and respected service, and was widely loved and respected because of his leadership.”because of his leadership.”– Brigadier General, John Toolan, USMCBrigadier General, John Toolan, USMC

Principal Director, Asia and Pacific Affairs Principal Director, Asia and Pacific Affairs Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)

From Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col Shea• ““Lt. Col. Shea was a role model Marine. He was everything Lt. Col. Shea was a role model Marine. He was everything

a Marine should be.”a Marine should be.”Lance Cpl. John H. WellsLance Cpl. John H. WellsChoctaw, Okla. Choctaw, Okla. Radio operator with RCT-1.Radio operator with RCT-1.

• "It's a rare honor (bestowed for) having one of the biggest "It's a rare honor (bestowed for) having one of the biggest impressions of anyone here," (about the USNA honorary impressions of anyone here," (about the USNA honorary graduate degree given to Lt Col Shea in 2003 after finishing graduate degree given to Lt Col Shea in 2003 after finishing his professorship as an Electrical Eng. instructor.).”his professorship as an Electrical Eng. instructor.).”Major Jeff NagelMajor Jeff Nagel– ““Shea also made a big impression as a Marine leader,” Nagel said. Shea also made a big impression as a Marine leader,” Nagel said.

“He had all the raw tools - humility, compassion, intelligence, “He had all the raw tools - humility, compassion, intelligence, strength. But despite all those attributes, he never rested on his strength. But despite all those attributes, he never rested on his laurels.”laurels.”

• ““He led from the front and he led by example.” He led from the front and he led by example.” Lt. Col. Austin RenforthLt. Col. Austin Renforth(Longtime Shea friend and fellow rugby player)(Longtime Shea friend and fellow rugby player)

From Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col Shea

• ““I respected him tremendously and felt honored to I respected him tremendously and felt honored to have known him.” have known him.”

Mr. Jack Freeze (fellow USN Academy instructor)Mr. Jack Freeze (fellow USN Academy instructor)

• ““I knew Kevin from the All-Marine Rugby Team in I knew Kevin from the All-Marine Rugby Team in 1992 and from the Command and Control Systems 1992 and from the Command and Control Systems Course in Quantico in 1994. Great athlete, hard Course in Quantico in 1994. Great athlete, hard core leader, super-funny guy...a Marines' Marine. core leader, super-funny guy...a Marines' Marine. A loss to our Corps and to all who knew him.” A loss to our Corps and to all who knew him.” Semper Fi Semper Fi

Lt Col Philippe "Boz" RogersLt Col Philippe "Boz" Rogers

• ““He was an innovator, a visionary, an intellect, one He was an innovator, a visionary, an intellect, one tough guy, and a very good friend. He will be tough guy, and a very good friend. He will be sorely missed.” sorely missed.”

Lt Col Paul A. Miller, USMCLt Col Paul A. Miller, USMCAC/S G-6, 1st Marine Division, Ar Ramadi, IraqAC/S G-6, 1st Marine Division, Ar Ramadi, Iraq

• ““All of these men gave their lives for their brother All of these men gave their lives for their brother

Marines and Sailors here, and for all Americans in Marines and Sailors here, and for all Americans in defense of the freedoms we are all privileged to defense of the freedoms we are all privileged to enjoy. America owes these Marines and their enjoy. America owes these Marines and their families an endless debt of gratitude.” families an endless debt of gratitude.”

Lt Col Willy Buhl, USMCLt Col Willy Buhl, USMC

From Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col SheaFrom Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col Shea

From Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col SheaFrom Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col Shea

• ““Kevin and I lived across the hall from each Kevin and I lived across the hall from each other at The Basic School in Quantico, VA, other at The Basic School in Quantico, VA, in 1989. He carried the heavier M60 in 1989. He carried the heavier M60 machinegun on all the hikes - normally it machinegun on all the hikes - normally it gets passed around - he carried it the whole gets passed around - he carried it the whole time. That is one small example of his time. That is one small example of his character. He was the kind of man and character. He was the kind of man and citizen that represents the very best of citizen that represents the very best of America. I will miss him.”America. I will miss him.”

Lt Col Michael Shoup, USMCLt Col Michael Shoup, USMCStafford, VA Stafford, VA

From Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col SheaFrom Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col Shea

• "I served with Kevin at First Force Recon "I served with Kevin at First Force Recon Company from 1996-98. He was universally liked, Company from 1996-98. He was universally liked, trusted and respected. He took a genuine interest trusted and respected. He took a genuine interest in subordinate's welfare. He was the eternal in subordinate's welfare. He was the eternal optimist towards underachievers whom he optimist towards underachievers whom he mentored tirelessly. The Marine Corps and mentored tirelessly. The Marine Corps and America is a lesser place for his passing. Thank America is a lesser place for his passing. Thank God for men like Kevin Shea. I was privledged to God for men like Kevin Shea. I was privledged to have served with him."have served with him."

Lt Col Trent Blackson, USMCLt Col Trent Blackson, USMCUS Special Operations Command US Special Operations Command Tampa, FLTampa, FL

Semper FiSemper Fi