Shannon Meehan
Shannon Meehan is a public speaker and the author of the critically-acclaimed memoir, Beyond Duty: Life on the Frontlines of Iraq, which chronicles his experiences as a combat platoon leader during the Iraq War.
A graduate of VMI, Meehan also studied at Oxford University, and commissioned into the First Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army in 2005. While deployed, Meehan led over 700 combat and civil operations and commanded cities inside Iraq, earning the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and an Army Commendation for Valor in combat.
In the waning months of his deployment, Meehan was seriously injured in an IED strike and suffered traumatic brain injury, among other physical injuries. After completing physical and cognitive rehabilitation, he was officially retired in November of 2009.
Following Meehan’s retirement, he authored the internationally-acclaimed memoir, Beyond Duty. Meehan’s story has been widely covered in the media, from the New York Times and The Dallas Morning News, to CNN, and many others.
Since Beyond Duty’s release, Shannon has spoken across the country on issues like leadership, national security, the power of narrative, and the effects of civilian casualties in war. Meehan has also shared his story in many other venues, including multiple Op-Ed pieces, most notably “Distant Wars, Constant Ghosts,” in the New York Times.
As a result, Shannon has become a leading spokesperson for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress, injuries most relevant to the present wars, who have gone on to do positives things in society.
Last Name:
Meehan
Class:
May 2011
Chapter Membership:
