Sergeant First CLASS CHRISTOPHER D. SHAW
Sept. 29, 2009
Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw, 37, of Natchez, Miss. died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device Sept. 29, 2009 on Jolo Island, Philippines.
Shaw was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Lewis, Wash. and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines. This was his second deployment in support of OE
Shaw enlisted in the U.S. Army reserve Nov. 22, 1994 while attending Texas Southern University in Houston on a track and field scholarship. In May 1995, he decided to put his education on hold and joined the active-duty Army as a forward observer.
Upon completion of basic training, advanced individual training, and the U.S. Army Airborne School, Shaw was assigned as a fire support specialist to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash.
In 1997, Shaw volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in March 1999.
Shaw was then assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash.
He later served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course at Camp Mackall, N.C. and subsequently returned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash.
Shaw’s military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger Course, U.S. Army Jumpmaster Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Advanced Non-commissioned Officer Course, Basic Non-commissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Shaw’s awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit citation. Shaw earned the Special Forces tab, Ranger tab and the Parachutist Badge.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Shaw holds a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, N.J.
Shaw is survived by his wife Attina and their children Darian Shaw, Erielle Smith, Jalyn Smith, Dante Shaw and Cydney Shaw of Fort Lewis, Wash. He is also survived by his mother and step-father Camille and Willie Felton of Chicago, Ill.; his father Walter Owens of Port Wentworth, Ga.; two brothers, Orlando Shaw of Chicago, Ill. and Maurey Owens of Jackson, Miss.; and two sisters Kenya Shaw of Chicago, Ill. and Gwen Owens of Atlanta, Ga.
For further information, media should contact the Special Forces Command Public Affairs Office during duty hours at 910-643-8438 or after duty hours at 910-429-4165.
- DE OPPRESSO LIBER –
SEPTEMBER 30,