March 10, 2015
2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion – Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Captain Shaw was born in Basking Ridge, NJ, and attended Ridge High School. He was Captain of the varsity lacrosse team and the student government president. After graduating high school in 2002, he attended the United States Naval Academy.
While at the United States Naval Academy, Capt. Shaw played club lacrosse and was the 6th Company Commander. He completed his degree in Political Science with a Bachelor of Science and upon graduating in 2006 he accepted a commission as a Marine officer.
Captain Shaw was assigned to Echo Company at The Basic School (TBS) and graduated in January of 2007. Following graduation, he immediately began training at the Infantry Officer Course.
In April 2007, Capt. Shaw graduated from IOC as an Infantry Officer and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. In May 2007, he was assigned as the Platoon Commander for 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company. During August of 2007, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Upon returning from this deployment, Capt. Shaw was reassigned as the Weapons Platoon Commander, Alpha Company. He deployed in this capacity to Iraq again in 2009 where he served as both the Weapons Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer. Upon returning from OIF, Capt. Shaw was reassigned as the Weapons Company Executive Officer and later as the Battalion’s Assistant Operations Officer. After completing the Battalion’s pre-deployment training cycle for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit he was reassigned to 3D Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan.
In July 2010, Capt. Shaw was assigned to 4th Marines, 3D Marine Division and soon took command of Headquarters Company, August 2010. The company deployed to Camp Fuji, Japan, for training in October 2010 and again in February 2011, to Thailand in support of Exercise Cobra Gold. In May 2011, he was reassigned to the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa.
In May 2011, Capt Shaw assumed duties and responsibilities as the Operations Officer and Deputy Camp Commander for the Jungle Warfare Training Center. He subsequently attended and graduated from the Malaysian Army Jungle Warfare Operations Course in PULADA, Malaysia. After completing his tour at JWTC, he was reassigned to the Individual Training Course, Marine Special Operations School.
From May 2012 to March 2013 Captain Shaw was a student at ITC and the MARSOC Team Commander’s Course. Upon completion of both schools, he was assigned to 2D Marine Special Operations Battalion where he served as a team commander.
Formal Schools that Capt. Shaw attended include The Basic School (TBS), Infantry Officers Course (IOC), Combat Hunter, Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course, Malaysian Army Jungle Warfare Operations Course, Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) (distinguished graduate), MARSOC Individual Training Course (ITC), MARSOC Team Commanders Course (MTCC), SERE, and the USMC Combatant Diver Course.
On March 10, 2015, Capt. Shaw died in a Blackhawk Helicopter crash near Navarre Beach, FL.
Capt. Shaw’s personal awards include Bronze Star (awarded posthumously), Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment ribbon (with two stars).