Sergeant Shawn Allen Eades, CD - Recognized for his Knowledge of IEDs
Born: March 26, 1975 - Hamilton, Ontario
Enlistment: June 9, 1994 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Deceased: Aug 20, 2008 - Zharey District, Afghanistan, Age 33
Force: Army
Unit: 1 Combat Engineer Regiment
Citation(s): Canadian Forces Decoration, NATO Medal for KOSOVO with Bar, Canadian Peacekeepers Service Medal, South West Asia Service Medal and AFGHANISTAN Bar, Alberta Centennial Medal, Sacrifice Medal (Posthumous)
At the age of 12, Shawn joined cadets, eventually becoming a Warrant Officer First Class. During his last year of high school in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, he enrolled in the 26th Field Artillery Regiment at the age of 17. He completed his Basic Recruit Course where he earned Top Candidate honours. Upon completion of his Reserve Force training and high school, Shawn was accepted to the Regular Forces as a Field Engineer at the age of 18. He completed his basic engineering training courses at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BC over the following year.
In 1994, he was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1CER). During his time at the Regiment, Shawn was employed in field troops earning numerous qualifications, including leadership courses, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Counter Improvised Explosive Device training and other engineering qualifications.
Shawn deployed on four operational tours including Task Force Kosovo in Pristina, Serbia and three tours to Afghanistan. During the last two tours to Afghanistan, Shawn filled leadership roles deploying first as the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Detachment Section Commander and later as a Reconnaissance Non-Commissioned Officer.
Shawn received formal award recognition – Chief of Defence Staff Commendation – for his work in Afghanistan from General Rick Hillier. He was praised for his masterful knowledge of improvised explosive device components, their employment and, in particular, for advising the Site Commanders on the implications these factors would have on the tactical situation. Shawn possessed natural leadership abilities where he demonstrated his compassion and concern for his fellow soldiers and the enjoyment he obtained from being a soldier.
At a news conference in Kandahar, Brigadier-General Denis Thompson said that “Sgt. Eades was respected by his subordinates, his peers and his superiors for his outstanding professionalism and his operational experience and competence. He was well loved by the Engineer Corps and the entire Battle Group. His dedication to his soldiers and his mission was second to none … his reputation for succeeding at any task, no matter how difficult, was well known. Sgt. Eades was a proud and dedicated member of 1 CER for almost 15 years and a key part of the Task Force in Afghanistan. His positive outlook and ability to raise morale are attributes that will be greatly missed.”
Shawn was also a member of the Masons – Balmoral Lodge No. 185 in Edmonton. He was a devoted husband and father. Shawn is truly missed by all who knew him.