Education
United States Army Command and General Staff College.
United States Army Command and General Staff College.
James Shanahan joined Reserve Officers Training Corps at Niagara University and was commissioned in 1942 following his graduation. Shanahan was initially given a command in the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He served as a platoon leader and company commander for this unit in the Pacific theater during the Second World War.
Following the end of the war, he returned to the United States to serve as an aide in the Truman White House.
When the Korean War broke out he returned to combat as the battalion commander for the 1-38th, 2nd Infantry Division. He also led the 3rd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War.
He become one of only 138 soldiers to earn the Combat Infantryman Badge with two combat stars (three awards - World World War II, of Korea, Vietnam). He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the National War College.
Following his retirement from the Army in 1973 at the rank of Brigadier General, James Shanahan settled in the Alexandria, Virginia area and became a real estate broker.
He died of an apparent heart attack on the 8th of January 1997 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.