Meadows was an assault team leader during the infamous raid on the Son Tay Prison in Hanoi. He was involved in special forces operations in preparation for the failed Desert One rescue attempt of the American hostages in Iran. Most of his 30 years of military service were spent in the Special Forces and Rangers.

President Clinton, in a letter to the Major before his death, wrote, "In Korea,Vietnam, Iran and many other dangerous locales, you established a legendary reputation that will forever be hallowed within the special forces and by all Americans who know of your extraordinary exploits."

Meadows died just hours before he was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by Clinton.