Brett Shadle was born on March 17, 1982, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 31, 2000, and went on active duty to begin basic training on July 25, 2000. Shadle completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in September 2000, and then attended Information Technician A School at NTC Great Lakes from September 2000 to February 2001. He next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, from February to October 2001, followed by Basic Airborne training and then SEAL Qualification Training at NAB Coronado from October 2001 to April 2002. His first assignment was with SEAL Team FOUR at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from April 2002 to December 2007, and then with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from December 2007 until he was killed in a parachute training accident in Tucson, Arizona, on March 28, 2013. During his time in the Teams, Chief Petty Officer Shadle deployed multiple times in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brett Shadle was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His 2nd Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as a Mission Support Site Team Leader and Assault Team Member for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 16 July 2009 to 31 October 2009. During this period, Petty Officer First Class Shadle executed several direct action missions that resulted in the elimination of multiple enemy fighters and the detention of numerous enemy leaders. He served as the Ground Force Commander of an assault force on many complex combat operations that resulted in the detention of enemy leaders. On 11 September 2009, Petty Officer First Class Shadle displayed great courage under fire on a direct action mission against enemy leadership. He led a small element within yards of an armed enemy force and eliminated the threat as the main assault force came under fire from a second location. Petty Officer First Class Shadle then aggressively maneuvered his element in response to this threat, enabling close air support to be employed against the enemy. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer First Class Shadle reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.