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Posted on 07/31/2017 2:40:47 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Here’s the story in his hometown paper:
Jim McCloughan to receive Congressional Medal of Honor today from President Trump
By BECKY KARK
Editor and general manager, The South Haven (Michigan) Tribune
Jim McCloughan’s Vietnam War buddies refer to him as “Doc” for his courageous actions as a medic. Today, President Donald Trump will be referring to McCloughan as America’s latest recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
It was May 25th that McCloughan received a phone call at home from the President himself letting “Doc” know he would receive the medal.
In an interview with Army Times, McCloughan recalled saying to the President, “Can my wife pick up another phone?”
Trump allowed her to and proceeded to spend 10-15 minutes talking with McCloughan.
Monday, the two men will be face to face at the White House where McCloughan, his wife, Cherie, and other immediate family members will witness the President giving the former Army medic the U.S. Military’s highest honor for valor during combat.
McCloughan was 23 years old during the Battle of Nui Yon Hill on May 13-15, 1969. Under heavy fire, he saved the lives of 10 fellow platoon members. He received many military awards and honors, including two Purple Hearts, but the Congressional Medal of Honor eluded him until his former platoon leader sent in a request in 2009 that he receive the Distinguished Service Cross, according to the Army Times. However, then Defense Secretary Larry Ash upgraded the request to the Medal of Honor.
But there was one hitch. The medal could only be awarded within five years of a military personnel’s lifesaving actions.
That glitch was resolved in 2016 when President Barack Obama signed legislation proposed by Michigan lawmakers Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Sen. Gary Peters and Rep. Fred Upton, allowing for the exception.
Since being informed that he would receive the Medal of Honor, McCloughan has been a busy man.
“He’s been writing a lot of speeches,” said McCloughan’s uncle, Jack McCloughan of South Haven, referring to the dozens of organizaitons the Medal of Honor recipient has been asked to speak to. “But Jim likes being busy.”
Jim McCloughan also has been interviewed by state and national news outlets, including 60 Minutes, whose film crew came to McCloughan’s South Haven home in June where he was interviewed along with several of the soldiers he saved during the Vietnam War.
“I’m waiting proudly and anxiously to see the show,” Jack McCloughan said.
Jack McCloughan watched his nephew and his two brothers grow up over the years and said he wasn’t a bit surprised that Jim would risk his own life to save others during the Vietnam War.
“It doesn’t come as a surprise at all,” Jack McCloughan said. “My brother (Scotty McCloughan) raised his boys to do what had to be done in whatever situation they were in.”
Look no further than the 3rd Infantry Regiment for the rank insignia.
I worked with a guy who had been in Vietnam. One day I casually remarked that I’d heard if you were awarded the Silver Star you could be buried at Arlington.
He said, “Well, I’ve got three of them, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Thanks for the ping and the explanation of the Spec 5 rank insignia.
Trump said, “He ran into danger.”
That explains Trump every minute of every day. He is running into danger.
That was my rank when I got out. I’d like to get hold of a few patches as I have only a couple left.
“That explains Trump every minute of every day. He is running into danger.”
Yes, he is. But he’s surrounded by brave people.
If I had been up for some medal under Obama, I would've requested that someone else present it, maybe a Senator, or maybe a military officer.
I still have my spec 5 insignia for my dress greens.
Did you see the documentary on SOG, or read the book? The stuff these guys did is absolutely legendary. The first combat HALO jump came from this unit.
....I’ve known some medics who were in Vietnam. Very special men those guys...
So were those in all other wars. My Father in law was a combat medic in
I Co, 7BN, 3rd Div in Korea in 1951-52.
They had to wear Red Crosses on helmets and armbands. They moved the armbands to the wrists and stuffed socks under the helmets to raise them up off the forehead because they were targets.
I have a picture of him and 4 buddies with helmets on and up laughing and pointing to the bullet hole in the helmet just above a Medic buddy in the middle man’s Red Cross.
We found his medic bag after he died full of about two dozen large safety pins neatly hanging on one safety pin and lots of bandages still in olive drab wrappers.
Just Google “Specialist 5” and you’ll see companies selling them.
No, I didn’t see that. It does sound incredible. I’m so thankful this man finally got the Medal of Honor.
Back around 2005 while I was still working in HR for my company's stamping plant in Detroit, I had a phone conversation with my counterpart who was retired from our closed facility in Philadelphia.
My friend was a combat medic in Vietnam and he said there was an employee in his plant who claimed to be a Marine and received a Silver Star...........
Well, since I had access to the personnel records from that plant, I was able to view his personnel file as well as his DD-214. Turns out that while he was indeed in Vietnam, the only medal he received was the Vietnam Service medal..........
If anybody makes a claim to me that they earned three Silver Stars in Vietnam, I'm going to be skeptical of their claim.
Here's a website that you might be able to verify his claim......
http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/04_SS/5_RVN/01_main.html
SOG - on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIY9oNlUD5A
Get the book by John Plaster. You will not be able to put it down. At the time, the existence of SOG was classified, and I believe their missions weren’t declassified until the mid or late 80s.
Thanks.
This vet had some general in the chain with a hard-on for medics. He was originally nominated for a DSC, which is the 2nd hghest medal you can get for valor. It was DOWNGRADED to a Bronze Star with Valor, something almost every desk bound Officer in Vietnam received. Then 40 years later his platoon leader knows he was screwed and tries to get him the DSC, which was rightfully upgraded to the Medal of Honor. You finally got what you should have got almost 50 years ago
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Salute to this brave hero!
“If anybody makes a claim to me that they earned three Silver Stars in Vietnam, I’m going to be skeptical of their claim.”
Well, the circumstances of how/where I knew him don’t make that an issue. There doesn’t seem to be anything near a complete list of recipients.
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