Captain Thomas Shanahan was a Naval Hero. From his entry into the United States Naval Flight Training in 1955 until he became the Commanding Officer of the USS Independence, Aircraft Carrier CV-62 on May 28, 1980, Captain Shanahan spent his entire career as the "point of the spear", protecting the United States and her interests.

After flight school, Captain Shanahan was assigned to numerous squadron assignments and flew multiple carrier based navy aircraft including the F-8, F-9 and the A-4 Skyhawk. Captain Shanahan was then sent to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and in October of 1966, he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Systems Analysis / Economics. From December of 1966 until September 1968, he saw combat action in Vietnam with Attack Squadron 93, flying 260 combat missions over Vietnam and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, twenty-eight Air Medals, and seven Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V. He also earned the Cross of Gallantry and a total of five Vietnam Service Medals.

His next assignment was working for the Secretary of Defense in Systems Analysis Command in Washington DC where he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Captain Shanahan was then promoted as the Executive Office and then Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron 65 at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. He continued his tour taking command of Attack Squadron 42, the primary naval replacement squadron for carrier based attack pilots. He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of his second Meritorious Service Medal.

In April, 1975 he was assigned as the Executive Office of the USS John F Kennedy (CV-67) and his follow-on assignment assumed command of Medium Attack Wing One, in charge of all carrier-based attack aircraft on the West Coast of the United States. He was awarded his second Gold Star in lieu of this third Meritorious Service Medal. Captain Shanahan assumed command of the USS Canisteo (AO-99) in 1978 which provided him the experience of commanding a deep-draft vessel and preparing him for assuming command of the USS Independence (CV-62) in 1980.
Captain Shanahan was in command of the "Indy" while was stationed in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden during the1980 Iranian Hostage Crisis

During his naval flying career, Captain Shanahan successfully landed over 1100 times on numerous aircraft carriers.

He married the love of his life, the former Elizabeth O'Donnell of Providence, Rhode Island in 1956 and they shared a 58 year marriage. Elizabeth preceded the Captain in death in 2014. They have three children, Cheryl, Thomas and Robert and two grandsons, Thomas Anthony Shanahan of Hilton Head, SC and George Clausen IV of Charlotte, NC.

In his later years, he resided at "The Ford" in Richmond Hill, Georgia where he enjoyed the warm breezes and sunshine and his stunning view of Sterling Creek and Ogeechee River. Life was good for the Captain.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors Project.

Captain Shanahan will be laid to rest next to his wife on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., in Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors.