About

Matthew Shea was born in 1974 in Spokane, Washington. His family had lived in Eastern Washington for four generations – his family ran one of the first stagecoaches in Washington. He lived in Spokane, attending both Pasadena and Ponderosa elementary schools with his parents and brother until the age of 10 when the family moved to Bellingham where he graduated from high school. Matt was raised in the atmosphere of gratitude to America as a country of freedom. His father instilled in him a deep sense of patriotism and personal obligation to his country.

Matthew went to Gonzaga University, from which he graduated in 1996. Apart from a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science, he received a J.D. degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2006, from which he graduated cum laude. He began his Military service as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Gonzaga University in 1996, and finished in the top 3 of his Officer Basic Course class. Later, he was recognized as the top rated Captain in his Battalion. Matthew Shea served in the United States Army with two combat tours overseas, including eight months in Bosnia as a platoon leader, and eleven months in Baghdad, Iraq, as a company commander.

Matthew was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Infantry man’s Badge among many other awards and commendations in the military. In his civilian life he was awarded the National Security Eagle Award in 2015 “In recognition of exemplary courage and statesmanship in defense of America’s security and freedoms.” This was awarded specifically for his work countering and exposing terrorism in the United States of America.