Lt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMC USAFA, Class of 1989

Lt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMCUSAFA, Class of 1989 Memorial Bust/Figure Justification for Dedication into The Hall of Heroes at the USAF Academy 15 March 2007 Memorial Board Presentation

Lt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMC • Inspirational Leader • War Hero Twice Over • Exemplary Marine • Family Man • Model Warrior for USAFA and All Service Academy Cadets

Lt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMC • Lt Col Shea knew his goal was to serve as a line officer in the US Marine Corp. • His desire came true in May 1989 when he was granted a cross-commission into the USMC as a 2nd Lt. after completing his USAFA B. of S. in General Engineering • He served combat duty in various conflicts and operations distinctively, paving the way for future USAFA cross-commissions into the USMC – a proven combat warrior and soldier that started his career at the USAFA Prep School & USAFA

Inspirational Leader • Company Commander, Platoon Commander, Operations Officer, Executive Officer. • Selected to be a Battalion Commander. • Support Company Detachment Commander, for the 9th Communications Battalion in OPERATION DESERT STORM • Liaison Officer for Marine Forces Central Command (MARCENT) G-6, and JCSE Task Force Commander, Combined Special Operations Task Force, during OPERATION DESERT THUNDER • Communications Officer (G-6) Regimental Combat Team 1 (RCT-1), 1st Marine Div, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM II

Inspirational Leader • Lt Col Shea’s superior leadership with Regimental Combat Team 1 (RCT-1) in Iraq, led to the total success of completely destroying the enemy in Fallujah from September - November 2004 • Leadership in both Fallujah 1 & 2 operations, also known as OPERATION VIGILANT RESOLVE & OPERATION AL FAJR • Lt Col Shea was killed during an attack on the unit command center by an enemy 122mm rocket on the 14th of September 2004, his 38th birthday. • He was selected to Lt Col prior to Sept 2004 and posthumously promoted.

War Hero Twice Over and More • Deployed and engaged in OPERATION DESERT STORM with the 9th Communications Battalion, 1st MARDIV (I MEF) • His direct efforts aided in the successful change and implementation from teletype to digital communications which became a key to winning the overall war in support of MEBs assigned to the unit • Commanded Charlie Company (Airborne), Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), Operations Division, Plans and Engineering officer • Supported 4 US Special Operations Command missions • JCSE Task Force Commander during OPERATION DESERT THUNDER • Thwarted Saddam Hussein’s threats against Kuwait sovereignty

War Hero • His direct efforts as Communications Officer G-6 in RCT-1, 1st Marine Division, led to the final victory that plagued Coalition Forces & Marines since the beginning of OPERATION VIGILANT RESOLVE, April 2004, bringing much needed peace to the city of Fallujah; led to the successful OPEARTION PHANTOM FURY in Sep-Nov 2004. • His leadership saved lives on convoys which fell under attack, carrying his commanding officers and ensured continuous, uninterrupted communications for an equivalent of eight battalions over 5000 square mile covering the Al Anbar Province (largest and most dangerous tactical AOR in Iraq) and Babil Province areas of operations involving secure communications. • He directly ensured the Battalion and below levels had secure combat effective communications saving hundreds of lives while destroying hundreds of the enemy.

Combat Driven Warrior • His experience and expertise led to training several Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU - SOC, Special Operations Command) Force Reconnaissance Platoons in deep reconnaissance, direct action communications missions • Directly supported & led mobile training teams in support of combat against counter-narcotics missions in LATAM AOR

Exemplary Decorated Marine • Bronze Star with Bronze “V” device for Valor • Purple Heart • Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star device • Meritorious Service Medal • Joint Service Commendation Medal • Navy-Marine Corp Service Commendation Medal, Gold Star • Joint Service Achievement Medal • Combat Action Ribbon with Bronze Star • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal • SWA Medal with two bronze stars • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal • Kuwait Liberation Medal (two) • He was a Jump Master and Combat Diver

Decorated Marine • Nominated for the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor device one month before his death. • Excerpts from his Bronze Star Citation: • …exceptional leadership and initiative provided reliable and consistent tactical communications to RCT-1, which attributed directly to saving Marine lives, and enabled timely operational reporting which led to the death or capture of hundreds of insurgents. • His leadership and expertise orchestrated the engineer, installation, operation, and maintenance of the largest tactical regimental communications network in the history of the Marine Corps. • Read all his entire citations attached as handouts. • This rising star and future commanding leader was cut short as his career was just blossoming.

Future Leader Cut Short • He was selected to be the Commanding Officer of the 9th Communications Battalion which was set for June 2005 • Ironically this is the same unit that a then Lt Col Robert M. Shea commanded during OPERATION DESERT STORM and the same unit that the then Lt. Kevin M. Shea started his combat exploits in defeating Saddam Hussein’s army in Kuwait. • Lt. General Robert M. Shea was the former Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (J-6)C4 Systems for the Joint Chief’s of Staff (JCS) &principle advisor to the Chairman, JCS on all C4 systems matters w/in the Department of Defense. • Lt Col Kevin M. Shea is one of the highest ranking Marine’s to die in the on going OPERATION IRAQ FREEDOM.

Family Man • Despite his numerous mission & exercise deployments, sea duty & combat duty operations, Lt Col Shea maintained a well balanced and healthy family on the home front • Spouse Ami, daughter Brenna Shea (12) & son Michael Shea (9) • Involved with community and church, Lt Col Shea was an exemplary family man & community leader

Model for All Academy Cadets • Honorary US Naval Academy graduate after tenure as Professor of Electrical Engineering at the US Naval Academy in 2003 • Naval Post Graduate School grad. with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) • Assistant Coach for USN Academy Rugby Team • Lettered on USAFA Varsity Football Team as defensive end on the 1987 Freedom Bowl team • Played on the USAFA Rugby Team which directly contributed to their becoming National Champions in 1989

Model for All Academy Cadets • Career officer with two combat deployments, numerous combat support deployments and world-wide operational missions • Well decorated and mission oriented • He epitomized the USAFA cadet & USAF character and core values mold/motto: • Integrity 1st, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do • Lt Col Kevin M. Shea exemplified the USMC core values: Honor, Courage & Commitment

Model for All Cadets • First of a kind combat casualty Golf Tournament named in his honor to raise funds for the Lt Col Kevin M. Shea Memorial Scholarship Fund which benefits children of the US Marine Corps • Lt Col Shea demonstrates he is deserving of being amongst those dedicated in the Mall of Heroes • Lt Col Shea is the third USMC cross- commission from USAFA to be killed in on-going combat operations and the first to die since the Vietnam war. • He is the first and thus far only USAFA Class of 1989 to die in the War Against Terror in Iraq and elsewhere • Kevin is the first ever USAFA graduate with an Honorary US Naval Academy graduate title to die in combat ops. • He is the only cross-commission USAFA Preparatory school graduate to die in combat; USAFA Prep Sch 1985

What the Leadership Saw in Kevin • The then commander of RCT-1 (Col. John Toolan): • “He played a role in both Fallujah 1 & 2, in that the entire RCT command and control system was created and developed by Kevin and served to facilitate the smooth execution of all combat operations, even after he was killed.” • “The reality of his role as the RCT G-6, was that he was tireless, incredibly courageous during several ambushes, and always took care of his Marines and Sailors before himself. He epitomized selfless service, and was widely loved and respected because of his leadership.” • Brigadier General, John Toolan, USMC Principal Director, Asia and Pacific Affairs 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 a Marine should be.” Lance Cpl. John H. Wells Choctaw, Okla. Radio operator with RCT-1. • "It's a rare honor (bestowed for) having one of the biggest impressions of anyone here," (about the USNA honorary graduate degree given to Lt Col Shea in 2003 after finishing his professorship as an Electrical Eng. instructor.).” Major Jeff Nagel • “Shea also made a big impression as a Marine leader,” Nagel said. “He had all the raw tools - humility, compassion, intelligence, strength. But despite all those attributes, he never rested on his laurels.” • “He led from the front and he led by example.” Lt. Col. Austin Renforth (Longtime Shea friend and fellow rugby player)

From Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col Shea • “I respected him tremendously and felt honored to have known him.” Mr. Jack Freeze (fellow USN Academy instructor) • “I knew Kevin from the All-Marine Rugby Team in 1992 and from the Command and Control Systems Course in Quantico in 1994. Great athlete, hard core leader, super-funny guy...a Marines' Marine. A loss to our Corps and to all who knew him.” Semper Fi Lt Col Philippe "Boz" Rogers

From Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col Shea • “He was an innovator, a visionary, an intellect, one tough guy, and a very good friend. He will be sorely missed.” Lt Col Paul A. Miller, USMCAC/S G-6, 1st Marine Division, Ar Ramadi, Iraq • “All of these men gave their lives for their brother Marines and Sailors here, and for all Americans in defense of the freedoms we are all privileged to enjoy. America owes these Marines and their families an endless debt of gratitude.” Lt Col Willy Buhl, USMC

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

From Those Who Knew/Served w/ Lt Col Shea • "I served with Kevin at First Force Recon Company from 1996-98. He was universally liked, trusted and respected. He took a genuine interest in subordinate's welfare. He was the eternal optimist towards underachievers whom he mentored tirelessly. The Marine Corps and America is a lesser place for his passing. Thank God for men like Kevin Shea. I was privledged to have served with him." Lt Col Trent Blackson, USMC US Special Operations Command Tampa, FL

Semper Fi

Lt Col Kevin M. Shea, USMC USAFA, Class of 1989