Local National Guardsman awarded the Legion of Merit recognizing 32 years of military service
Colonel Shanon Cotta was awarded a Legion of Merit and retired after 32 years of service from the United States Army on Sept. 13 in Bangor, Maine. After the retirement ceremony, he stands with his mother Helga Cotta of South China, Maine. Courtesy photo
Colonel Shanon Cotta was awarded a Legion of Merit and retired after 32 years of service from the United States Army on Sept. 13 in Bangor, Maine. After the retirement ceremony, he stands with his mother Helga Cotta of South China, Maine. Courtesy photoColonel Shanon W. Cotta, of Alna, Maine was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal by Major General Diane Dunn, the Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard, on Sept. 13 after serving over 32 years in the United States Army. His final assignment was serving as the brigade commander of the 52nd Troop Command in the Maine National Guard.
Raised in South China, Maine by David and Helga Cotta, he attended China Elementary School and Erskine Academy. He graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with two bachelor’s degrees and the University of Maine Graduate School with a master of arts in teaching. He also holds degrees from Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin and a master of strategic studies from the United States Army War College.
His other awards and decorations include the Humanitarian Service Medal, Louisiana Emergency Service Medal, Vermont Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Korean Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Master Combat Badge, Mountain Warfare School, Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Cotta is married to Jill Cotta, a teacher at the Center for Teaching & Learning in Edgecomb, and they have three young children, Owen, Ellie, and Keagan. They are avid local sports fans and love supporting Wiscasset, Boothbay and Newcastle youth sports.
