SGT Shawn Michael Reilly
Called RANGERSMURF by his battle buddies, and Pookie by Carrie, his Wife.
Shawn was born on May 8, 1967 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he ended his life on October 16, 2011 at the age of 44. Shawn was suffering from PTSD and TBI.
SGT Shawn Michael Reilly was part of Panama Operation Just Cause parachuting with the 75th Ranger Battalion in 1989. He was deployed in 2005 to Operation Iraqi Freedom and in 2007 was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom with the 181st Engineer Company.
In Ranger school in 1988, Shawn was awarded a trophy for most motivated soldier. He was the proud recipient of Combat Jump Wings for jumping into Panama with the 75th Ranger Battalion during Operation Just Cause.
SGT Shawn Michael Reilly received the Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained in Iraq. Shawn also had Three Campaign Stars, the U.S. Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
When deployed in Iraq Shawn would call his wife Carrie, and would talk for hours in his minimal free time.
SGT Reilly was an exemplary soldier and loved by many. He was a character, so full of life and jokes. Everyone loved him and his spunky personality. The boys in his unit nicknamed him RANGERSMURF because he was only 5’5". He would do anything for anyone that needed help. He loved football especially the Vikings, his favorite team. He loved music, spaghetti and Thanksgiving dinner!
Shawn was an avid hunter and enjoyed everything to do with the outdoors. His favorite place was in his tree stand in the woods. Shawn loved being a Ranger and as he called it “Playing Army”. He loved his job serving his country.
In April 2015, four years after Shawn's death, Carrie found the strength to lay his ashes at Arlington National Cemetery. She was afraid of letting him go, but Shawn had to rest with the heroes and it was time for Carrie to work on her own healing!
