![CDR Dan Shanower]()
CDR Dan Shanower
On Sept. 12, 2023, Carroll University officially dedicated the campus Veterans House in the name of CDR Dan F. Shanower '83 USN. The ceremony and renaming of the building honors and remembers his service, spirit and commitment, while providing a committed space to current and former service members and their families as they pursue their academic, career and personal goals at Carroll.
The new CDR Dan F. Shanower '83, USN Veterans House will provide a wonderful meeting place for support, sharing and fellowship at Carroll among veterans and those in their lives. Family, friends and all veterans will have their own place to bond, just as other campus buildings are designated for diverse groups to connect.
More than 60 people from throughout Carroll, the surrounding community and CDR Shanower's family attended the ceremony. Carroll President Cindy Gnadinger spoke about CDR Shanower's many accomplishments inside and outside the military. His mother, Patricia Shanower, also addressed the attendees to share her feelings on the Veterans House, the celebration and her son, including his time at Carroll.
CDR Shanower graduated from Carroll in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Communication. While a student, he participated in the Washington Semester at American University, interning in the office of Illinois Senator Charles Percy, then Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
He was personally known for his smile, terrific sense of humor, love of conversation, ability to tell a story, love of politics and his intellectual and cultural curiosity about the world. CDR Shanower loved the sea, sailing, scuba diving, water skiing and above all else, his family, friends and the Navy. He also enjoyed writing both fiction and non-fiction, and many of his opinion essays and articles were published in the United States Naval Institute Proceedings, including the poignant May 1997 one entitled, “Freedom Isn’t Free.”
His article reflected on the loss of his shipmates in 1987, and he wrote: “Those of us in the military are expected to make the ultimate sacrifice when called. The military loses scores of personnel each year. Each one risked and lost his or her life in something they believed in, leaving behind family and shipmates to bear the burden and celebrate their devotion to our country…They knew the risks they were taking and gave their lives for something bigger than themselves.”
Additionally, CDR Shanower’s professional commendations include the Defense Meritorious Service Award, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Purple Heart and numerous campaign and service awards. Sadly, he was killed in the attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001 and interred at Arlington National Cemetery on October of the same year.
Carroll University awarded him its first Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to Country in Feb. 2002 for his unselfish service and dedication to our country.
SERVICE HISTORY
CDR Shanower attended Aviation Officer School in Pensacola, Florida and received his commission as an Ensign, U.S. Navy in June 1985. After attending the Armed Forces Air Intelligence Training Course at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, he reported to VAQ-136 onboard U.S.S. Midway in Mar. 1986 as Squadron Intelligence Officer. In Sept. 1988, he was assigned as Officer-in-Charge of the Pacific Fleet Area Support Team Detachment, Subic Bay, Philippines. Following this tour, he transitioned to the Naval Reserve, serving from Aug. 1990 to Oct. 1994 as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. State Department in the Philippines.
He was recalled to active duty in Nov. 1994 and reported to the Navy & Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center as a student. He was assigned to the Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific Detachment Japan in Dec. 1994 as Operations Support Department Head. In May 1997, he received orders to the staff of the Commander, U.S. Third Fleet in San Diego, California aboard the U.S.S. Coronado as the Assistant Intelligence Officer.
In June 1999, Shanower reported to the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC as Fleet Support Department Head. He began graduate work in the Naval War College. In Aug. 2000, he was selected as the Officer-in-Charge of the Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Plot. There he was responsible for the provision of current intelligence support to the Navy Secretariat, Chief of Naval Operations staff, and the Director of Naval Intelligence. In Dec. 2000, he was promoted to his final rank of Commander.