Shawn Billiot
Travis Manion Memorial Fellow
Shawn grew up and was raised in Thibodaux, Louisiana-60 miles southwest of New Orleans. He graduated high school from Edward Douglas White Catholic High in 2004 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 2003, the summer between his junior and senior year. Two weeks after graduating, Shawn attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.
Shawn attained the rank of Sergeant while he was in the Marine Corps. He was deployed once in Fallujah in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for a period of eight months with 1st BN 6th MAR 2nd MAR DIV as a radio operator. While in the Marines, Shawn was awarded the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
After Shawn returned home from Iraq in 2005, he was transferred to Marine Barracks 8th and completed his tour in Washington D.C. intending to re-enlist in the Marine Corps in Jan. 2008. Shawn sustained injuries from aggravated assault in 2008. Shawn was medically retired from the United States Marine Corps after five years of honorable service and continued in outpatient care at the National Naval Medical Center from April 2008 to June 2009. While Shawn was attached to the outpatient platoon, he did some work with the Red Cross. Now, Shawn has the opportunity to work directly with the Red Cross and Navy Safe Harbor where he will be able to work for and help the service members that are going through the same thing as him.
Shawn's Fellowship was made possible by support from the Travis Manion Foundation.
Shawn will be completing his Fellowship in honor of Pfc Christopher White, USMC. Christopher lost his life in Iraq in June 2006.
Read Shawn's thoughts on his Fellowship and service
Learn more about Mission Continues Fellowships
Our Mission:
To build an America where every returning veteran can serve again as a citizen leader, and where together we honor the fallen by living their values through service.
