Shaun Tichenor

Hometown: Youngsville, LA
Branch of Service: US Army (15 yrs)
Rank: E-7 Sergeant First Class
Awards: Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, ARCOM 4 OLC, AAM 6th award
Memberships: VFW post 9822
Theater: Operation Enduring Freedom AFG 2011-2012

Shaun grew up in the small farming community of Staples, Minnesota, where he developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1997 and was first stationed with the Old Guard in Arlington, Virginia. After a nine-year break in service, he rejoined the Army and was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. In 2011, during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Shaun was injured in combat and lost the lower part of his right leg.

Following a year of rehabilitation, Shaun continued his military career, serving nine additional years as an amputee with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. There, he competed in air pistol and smallbore pistol disciplines, ultimately representing Team USA at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Shaun retired from active duty in 2021 after a distinguished career marked by resilience, service, and excellence. Today, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and continues to pursue his love of hunting and fishing—particularly bow hunting for deer.