Rear Admiral (United States) Thomas Kennedy Shannon (USN) (born 1960)[1] is a retired naval officer. His final assignment was as commander of the US Navy Military Sealift Command.

Thomas K. Shannon
Rear Admiral Thomas K. Shannon (USN)
Born1960 (age 63–64)
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service1982–2016
Rank Rear admiral
CommandsMilitary Sealift Command
Carrier Strike Group One
USS Vicksburg (CG-69)
USS De Wert (FFG-45)
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)
Meritorious Service Medal

Education

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Shannon graduated with a BS in Nautical Science from the Maine Maritime Academy (1982) and was commissioned an ensign in the US Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program. He later received an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in March 1998.[2]

Career

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After his commissioning, Shannon held various US naval commands of increasing responsibility, including in succession chief staff officer of Destroyer Squadron 14, surface operations officer of Cruiser-Destroyer Group Twelve, commanding officer of the USS De Wert (FFG-45), commanding officer of the USS Vicksburg (CG-69), air defense commander for the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) battle group, and commander of Carrier Strike Group 1. Shannon was then in the year 2012 promoted from the rank of rear admiral (lower half) to rear admiral, before being relieved of command of Carrier Strike Group 1 and named commander, Military Sealift Command in the year 2013.[2][3][4] He completed this assignment on 25 August 2016 when he was relieved by Rear Adm. Dee L. Mewbourne and subsequently retired from the navy.[5]

Medals and decorations

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Among the rear admiral's military decorations and awards are prominently:[6]

  Defense Superior Service Medal
  Legion of Merit with 3 Oak leaf clusters
  Meritorious Service Medal (United States)

References

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  1. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. 1 October 1990. p. 63. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Rear Admiral Thomas Shannon". U.S. Navy. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  3. ^ US Naval War College
  4. ^ US Navy Military Sealift Command
  5. ^ "Military Sealift Command Hosts Change of Command". America's Navy. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  6. ^ Gannet Military Times Hall of Valor
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