8/2/1966 James & Lucy McDonough

James M. McDonough

Cullum No. 24288-1962 | August 2, 1966 | Died in Vietnam

Interred in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, ME

The rhythm of the train ride from NYC to South Station in Boston lets the tension slip away. It is a frigid November morning as the journey winds along the northeast coast. Waiting at the station is Jim McDonough’s son Michael who, born only a couple of years before his father’s death, knows little about the man he calls his father. His heart gets heavy, he says, when he thinks about his dad, although he has no memory of the man. Other than Jim’s mother and brother, Michael has had little contact with those who knew Jim. He waits at the train station to have lunch and hear the tales told by an old and close friend of his dad.

James Michael ‘Jim’ McDonough Jr. was born on Nov 29, 1939, in Portland, ME, the son of James M. McDonough Sr. and Catherine Towsey. There Jim attended Cheverus High School. After a year at the University of Maine, Jim earned his appointment to the United States Military Academy. When Jim entered West Point he survived the rigors of the first day of Beast Barracks and went on to a highly successful stint at the Academy. A sound athlete, Jim ran track, played handball, and skied. He was a mainstay of Company B1 intramural athletics as well. Jim was known for his debating skills as a member of the Debate Council and Forum. He was elected to the Hop Committee as his company representative and made sure the social scene never lacked for attention.

On Jun 6, 1962, Jim graduated and, along with his classmates, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry. Shortly after, Jim was honored to marry the love of his life, Lucy Malec.

As it was for many of his classmates, Fort Benning, GA, was Jim’s first stop. There, among the tall pines and red Georgia clay, Jim successfully completed the Basic Infantry Officer’s Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School. Then it was off to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii where Jim would serve with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment (Cacti Blue) of the 25th Infantry Division.

Jim and Lucy loved Hawaii, and it was there that Michael was born. Looking across the lunch table, it was hard for the old man to realize that the baby he had often held on his shoulder in Hawaii was now fully grown. Between jungle training and routine military training, Jim and Lucy found the time to enjoy the warm island beaches, to surf, and to be the loving parents that they were. Jim and Lucy always enjoyed a good party, and the young officers and wives would frequently gather at the Officer’s Club or at each other’s homes for fun, but inexpensive times.

Jim had a bit of the entrepreneur in him. He, who owned a large German Shepard named Prince, and I, who owned a diminutive female named Tiki, decided to join forces as it were and produce a litter of pups that could each be sold for a hefty price. We had no experience in “animal husbandry,” nor did Prince and Tiki have any experience in affairs of the heart. Nonetheless, after much coaxing using rubber gloves swiped from Lucy’s kitchen, the act was consummated. Lucy observed the sidesplitting scene from the kitchen window and was ruthless in her ribbing of the men. Tiki delivered a healthy litter of a dozen or so, and the two families enjoyed a slight, but welcome, increase in revenue.

Many Americans who ended up serving in Vietnam grew up in the 1950s watching western movies in which the stagecoach driver always had another armed man sitting next riding “shotgun” for protection against armed bandits. It’s not surprising that military leaders in the 1960s had that in mind when in late 1962 they chose the name “Operation Shotgun” when they assigned Jim’s infantry division to one of the most dangerous programs of the Vietnam war. Jim volunteered for this hazardous mission and led his platoon of volunteer door gunners to combat in Vietnam.

Jim returned safely to Hawaii and his family. Then, in early 1966, the entire 25th Infantry Division was deployed to Vietnam. Jim’s unit was sent to Pleiku in the Central Highlands where he initially served as S4 of the battalion. Jim’s excellent leadership skills next landed him the job of A Company commander. He took to the jungle with his unit in search of the North Vietnamese Army.

On Aug 2, 1966, while Jim’s unit was on patrol in the Ia Drang Valley, they encountered a strong element of the enemy forces. Company A came under fire and began sustaining casualties. Without concern for his own safety, Jim rushed to the aid of his wounded comrades. He himself was mortally wounded, dying a hero’s death in service to his country. Among other wellearned honors, Jim was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Purple Heart.

Jim is survived by his son Michael and his brother Ed. Jim and Lucy are now reunited in eternal peace. A man of greater morality and goodness than Jim rarely graces our presence. Michael may have come away from lunch that day with a better idea of just how wonderful a father he had. Perhaps knowing that now makes Michael’s heart a bit lighter.

Well done my friend.

VIEW ALL PHOTOS (2)

HONORED ON PANEL 9E, LINE 99 OF THE WALL

DATE OF BIRTH: 29-Nov-39

HOME OF RECORD:

Portland, Maine

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 1 of 1

Silver Star

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Battalion: 2d Battalion

Division: 25th Infantry Division

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 6041 (October 15, 1966)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) James M. McDonough, Jr. (ASN: 0-96057), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Captain McDonough distinguished himself on 2 August 1966, while serving as a Platoon Leader during a company search and destroy operation in the Republic of Vietnam. While moving toward its objective, Captain McDonough’s company uncovered a Viet Cong base camp and immediately received intense hostile fire. Captain McDonough, quickly realizing that the numerically superior Viet Cong force was maneuvering to encircle his unit, repositioned his men. At this time, the insurgents began to mortar attack the besieged American unit. Realizing that his troops could not successfully break contact at this time, Captain McDonough directed the retaliatory fire of his men. Seeing his radio operator lying wounded in an exposed position, Captain McDonough, with complete disregard for his safety, crawled through intense hostile fire and dragged his wounded comrade to a covered position. After administering first aid, he called in an accurate artillery barrage upon the assaulting insurgents which repulsed them. During the lull that followed, Captain McDonough moved among his men giving instructions, attending the wounded, and reorganizing the defense. When a second Viet Cong assault began under the cover of mortar fire, Captain McDonough again called for and adjusted artillery fire. He then repeatedly braved the hostile fire while moving among his men, directing their fire and repositioning them until he was mortally wounded by hostile machine gun fire. Through his courageous efforts, Captain McDonough contributed immeasurably in repelling the Viet Cong force until a friendly relief force arrived. His extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Captain James M McDonough was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his exemplary courage under fire. The citation reads (in part): “Captain McDonough distinguished himself on 2 August 1966, while serving as a Platoon Leader during a company search and destroy operation in the Republic of Vietnam. While moving toward its objective, Captain McDonough’s company uncovered a Viet Cong base camp and immediately received intense hostile fire. Captain McDonough, quickly realizing that the numerically superior Viet Cong force was maneuvering to encircle his unit, repositioned his men. At this time, the insurgents began to mortar attack the besieged American unit. Realizing that his troops could not successfully break contact at this time, Captain McDonough directed the retaliatory fire of his men. Seeing his radio operator lying wounded in an exposed position, Captain McDonough, with complete disregard for his safety, crawled through intense hostile fire and dragged his wounded comrade to a covered position.”
See https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24533 

CPT JAMES M. MCDONOUGH, USMA 1962 – BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE (81ST)

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point – a Plebe in Cadet Company B-1, USCC when Rocky was a Firstie in Co. K-2 and a brother Airborne-Ranger/CIB recipient – Captain James Michael McDonough Jr., USMA class of 1962, on what would’ve been his 81st birthday – 29 November 2020.

THANK YOU

Dear Captain James McDonough, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Commander and for graduating from West Point. Your 54th anniversary just passed, sad. Saying thank you isn’t enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly, but our world needs help. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

REMEMBERING AN AMERICAN HERO

Dear Captain James M McDonough Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

WE REMEMBER

James is buried at New Calvary Cemetery in South Portland, ME. SS BSM AM-3OLC PH

IF I SHOULD DIE…REMEMBRANCES FOR CAPT. JAMES M.MCDONOUGH, JR. USA…WHO DIED FOR OUR COUNTRY!!!!!!

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep…for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile…Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine…Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine…and I, perchnace, may therein comfort you.

POSTED ON 12.19.2001

POSTED BY: BEN YOUMANS

CACTI FOREVER

A Company, 2/35th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 25th Inf Division.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
http://www.cacti35th.org

POSTED ON 11.15.1998

POSTED BY: MIKE MCDONNELL