Major Thomas K. Schueman was born in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Loyola University, Chicago in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communications.
After receiving his commission in May 2008 via NROTC, 2nd Lieutenant Schueman attended the Basic School and the Infantry Officers’ Course. He then reported to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5) in September 2009. As a rifle platoon commander of Company K, he deployed to Sangin Afghanistan in fall 2010.
As a young 2nd Lieutenant he was plunged into combat which took the lives of 25 Marines and wounded over 200. Lieutenant Schueman received a Purple Heart for injury in combat during that deployment.
Captain Schueman made forward progress through new orders and assignments that took him to leadership roles in 1stRecon Battalion, a second deployment to Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghanistan National Army, the School of Infantry West, Infantry Training Battalion, Combat Instructor School, Lima Company Commander with 3rdBattalion, 4thMarines., and a deployment to Australia. He completed multiple military courses, including the Expeditionary Warfare School Blended Program, which he completed with honors.
Major Schueman is currently an MA English student at Georgetown University. Upon graduation, he will assume his duties as a professor at the United States Naval Academy. He is married to Andrea Schueman and they have a 6 month old daughter.
2019 marks Major Schueman’s second visit to our race. His first visit was in 2014, as a TeamKelly runner. By then a Captain, Tom Schueman ran that race to honor his fellow Marines and in memory of his friend 1stLieutenant Robert M. Kelly.
Throughout his advancing career, Major Schueman has kept in touch with Team Darkhorse, offering insights and advice which have been invaluable to our understanding of combat veterans. Furthermore, it is clear that he is held in high regard by the enlisted Marines who served with him in combat, which is one of the highest compliments that can be paid to an officer. We are honored he can be with us at this race.
We encourage all runners to come by and meet this incredible young man.
Decorations and ribbons include the following: Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” distinguishing device, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze star in lieu of second award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze stars in lieu of second campaign phase, Korean Service Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Service Medal, Combat Instructor Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars in lieu of third award, and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.