Master Sergeant Nicholas “Nick” Sheperty was born on January 28, 1983. A native Virginian, he later made his home in Baltimore, Maryland. Nick enlisted in January 2002 and began his career as a United States Marine, a path that would lead him into some of the most demanding reconnaissance and special operations units in the Corps.
After the Marine Corps Infantry School, Nick completed the Basic Reconnaissance Course and Amphibious Reconnaissance School and served with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, the 4th Platoon of 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company and the Ground Sensor Platoon. He went on to serve with F Company of the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion in the early years of Marine Forces Special Operations Command and with the Tactical Training Exercise Control Group. His Marine schooling reads like a catalog of the profession: the Scout Sniper Advanced Course, the Urban Sniper Course, Multi-Mission Parachutist and Military Free Fall training, Marine Operational and Emergency Medical Skills and the Marine Special Operations School. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” device and the Combat Action Ribbon and was wounded in combat.
In 2010 Nick joined the West Virginia Army National Guard. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and earned his Green Beret, then served as a senior weapons sergeant with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Kingwood, West Virginia. His later training included the Special Forces Sniper Course, the Special Forces Senior Leader Course, the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course and Special Operations language training. His teammates remember the moment that defined him: he once turned down an opportunity to advance personally because his team was deploying to Afghanistan.
On April 17, 2019, Nick was taking part in military free-fall training at Suffolk Executive Airport in Virginia in preparation for a pending deployment. He suffered a catastrophic medical event three to four minutes after exiting the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 36 years old. Guard officials said the incident was not caused by an equipment malfunction. His family has never learned the cause, and they remain deeply grateful to Nick’s team for all it did for them.
Nick’s decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” device, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Military Free Fall Parachutist and Jumpmaster Badges, the Parachutist Badge and Australian Parachutist Wings.
“Let us never forget the life and legacy of Nick Sheperty, the sacrifice he made or the sacrifice his family will endure,” said Major General James Hoyer, the adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard. His brothers in arms speak of him in personal terms. “Nick was the type of Soldier every commander wants,” one wrote. “It was one of the highest honors in my life to serve as Nick’s team leader.” Another recalled that “Nick’s satisfaction came from knowing he had done everything in his power to ensure that the mission was successful.” Others called him a mentor to the regiment, and one simply wrote, “You saved my life. I wish I could have repaid you.” As a final friend put it: “I miss you, Shep. Most of all, your relentless love for your brothers-in-arms.”
Nick is survived by his mother, Mona; his sister, Gretchen; his brother, Joey; his sister-in-law, Becca; his nephew, Nicholas; his fiancée, Anna; and a large family of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Nick was the type of Soldier every commander wants. It was one of the highest honors in my life to serve as Nick's team leader.
Green Beret Team Leader
Sources
- West Virginia National Guard: WVNG identifies Soldier who died during training accident
- DVIDS: West Virginia National Guard identifies Soldier who died during training accident
- Stars and Stripes: Green Beret with West Virginia National Guard killed in parachute training incident
- Army Times: West Virginia National Guard identifies Green Beret killed in training exercise
- Family-provided records on file with MVF: Nicholas Sheperty bio (family-provided)
