NY National Guard officer and Iraq War veteran receives Legion of Merit
KINGS POINT, N.Y. (07/26/2021) — Retired New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Shawn Shutts, a Macungie, Pa., resident and veteran of the war in Iraq, received the Legion of Merit medal during a ceremony at Kings Point, N.Y., July 13, 2021.
Col. Robert Charlesworth, former commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, presented the award at the United States Merchant Marine Academy where Shutts now serves as director of academy operations.
Shutts received the award in recognition of his 24 years of service, which culminated with his command of the Syracuse-based 427th Brigade Support Battalion, a unit he led since October 2018.
Shutts commissioned in 1998 as a field artillery officer after completing the Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Bucknell University, while attending Lycoming College. He is also trained as a logistician and public affairs officer.
Shutts deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he served as a battalion fire support officer. During his second deployment to Iraq, Shutts served as commander of a field artillery battery.
He subsequently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield with the 369th Sustainment Brigade as a support operations officer.
Following his last deployment, Shutts was assigned as Deputy Commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade.
Shutts' awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals and the Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Lt. Gen. Aubrey Newman Award for Leadership, as well as the Honorable Orders of St. Barbara and St. Christopher.
Shutts holds a baccalaureate degree from Lycoming College, A Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a Master's in Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University.
He is married to the former Ms. Lisa Schmehl. They have two daughters, Caroline and Abigail.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Col. Robert Charlesworth presents retired Lt. Col. Shawn Shutts, right, with the Legion of Merit medal at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York on July 13. Shutts retired from the Army National Guard as commander of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion with 24 years of service, and now serves as Director of Operations for the Merchant Marine Academy. (USMMA Public Affairs courtesy photo)