Shannon Meehan 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 . Early life . Born and raised in Delaware County , Pennsylvania , 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 . 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 America ' 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 . 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 163 . 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 . Personal life . Shannon lives in Delaware County , Pennsylvania , with his wife , Amanda Jane , and son , Brady Cole Meehan .