[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15214-15215]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CAPTAIN SHAWN G. HOGAN

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I wish to honor the service of a brave 
New Hampshire son, U.S. Army Special Forces CPT Shawn G. Hogan, who was 
killed in a tragic accident during a military training exercise on 
October 17 in Golden Pond, KY. Captain Hogan was commander of Company 
A, 4th Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group headquartered at Fort 
Campbell, KY. He received his Green Beret earlier this year.
  Shawn was born in Albany, NY and grew up in the Town of Salem, New 
Hampshire. An alumnus of Salem High School, Shawn attended the Virginia 
Military Institute where he was captain of both the cross-country team 
and the track and field team. He joined the U.S. Army upon graduation 
in 2006.
  Shawn's military honors include the Bronze Star Medal, two Army 
Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Service 
Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign 
Medal with one Campaign Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the 
Army Service Ribbon, the Sapper Tab, the Ranger

[[Page 15215]]

Tab, the Special Forces Tab, and the Parachutist Badge.
  Shawn was an avid runner, hiker, rock climber, and skier and is 
remembered for his love of the great outdoors and for his impressive 
athletic ability. At the Virginia Military Institute, for instance, 
Shawn placed seventh out of 3,600 cadets in an Army ROTC competition. 
When he wasn't outperforming the competition on the playing field, 
Shawn was outperforming his peers in the classroom. Friends and 
teachers recall Shawn's intense intellectual curiosity and independent 
mind. He was a finalist in the prestigious Rhodes and Marshal 
Scholarship competitions, won an award for the best thesis in science 
and engineering, and was valedictorian of his class at the Institute.
  Shawn is also remembered for the kindness he showed others and for 
his willingness to help anyone in need. He stood out as an athlete, a 
student, and a person, and his death is a huge loss for all who knew 
him, for New Hampshire, and for the country.
  Shawn dedicated his talents and his life in the service of his 
community and his country. He answered the call of duty to defend our 
way of life, and for that, all Americans are forever grateful.
  Sadly, Shawn is the fifth Salem High School graduate in recent years 
to die while serving our country. To honor Shawn and all others who 
have served before him, it is our duty to remain committed to the cause 
of freedom and to our returning veterans and their families.
  Shawn is survived by his parents, Jean and Richard Hogan of Salem; 
and his sister, Nicole, also of Salem.
  I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring the 
bright life and service of CPT Shawn G. Hogan.

                          ____________________