Medal of Honor recipient thanks, inspires fellow Vietnam vets
Medal of Honor recipient James McCloughan brought a message to his fellow Vietnam veterans during his address on Aug. 27 to The American Legion’s 101st National Convention.
“We did not lose the war in Vietnam,” said McCloughan, a 26-year member of American Legion Post 49 in South Haven, Mich. “The fall of Saigon came two years after the Americans left Vietnam. To those here who fought in Vietnam, I would like to say, ‘Thank you for your service and welcome home.’”
He continued, thanking those who support servicemembers. “We could not do that without those back home, our friends and our families. Thank you so much. You are also part of that fighting unit that support us and inspired us to do what we have to do.”
McCloughan, an Army combat medic, was wounded by the North Vietnam army early in a two-day battle near Tam Ky where U.S. forces were outnumbered 2,000 to 89. He ran 100 meters through an open field with heavy fire to single-handedly rescue four wounded comrades and brought them to safety. For his actions in the May 13-15, 1969, battle, McCloughan received the Medal of Honor in 2017.
After returning home to Michigan from Vietnam, McCloughan took care of young men in a different way. “When I came home, I said my first job for (the Legion) would be running its American Legion Baseball program, which I did for 35 summers,” he said in an interview after receiving the medal. “That will be my service to you.”
McCloughan was also a high school wrestling coach in Michigan, a background he shares with one of the Spirit of Service recipients honored at the national convention. McCloughan accompanied each of the six recipients, including Kansas Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Benjamin P. Forsberg, as they received their awards. Forsberg was honored for his volunteer work, including serving as a wrestling coach.
“Yes, I do love the sport of wrestling, and I love the people who wrestling makes,” he said. “Through wrestling, I am able to teach someone how to win with humility and lose with grace. I am able to teach somebody how to improve upon their weaknesses and utilize their strengths. I am able to teach them that success is not made in front of spectators, but is made behind closed doors when they are working hard. And greatness cannot be achieved but it most always be pursued.”
During his 15-minute address to convention delegates, McCloughan credited The American Legion with its commitment to him throughout his life. As a teenager, he played American Legion Baseball for Post 49. After leaving the service, he received some financial assistance in 1970. And he used the American Legion-drafted GI Bill to advance his education.
“The GI Bill, written by veterans for veterans, allowed me to obtain my master’s degree in psychology from Western Michigan University, purchase a home and start a family,” he said, referring to the legislation authored by American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery and approved by Congress in 1944.
McCloughan also thanked the thousands of veterans in attendance for their service.
“When it was your turn to serve, you didn’t run and hide,” he said. “You joined and took the place alongside others to fight. You raised your hand, took the military oath and reaffirmed your commitment to America and its ideals. You signed your family’s name on a line and you agreed to die for our country, its people and our way of life, if it came down to that.”
McCloughan assigned an acronym to all his brothers and sisters who have made that vow.
“As a teacher and coach for 40 years, I’m here to tell you that you took the biggest test of your life and you aced it,” he said. “You played in the toughest game of your life and you won. You have officially become an ABA (American Bad Ass). You didn’t care about the medals and awards, as you passed that test and won that game, even though you earned them. You were just thankful to be home and alive.”
Referencing Vietnam War protesters, McCloughan told the audience that only the veterans know the truth about what occurred in the jungles overseas.
“Don’t expect those who haven’t walked a mile in your boots to know and understand what you have done,” he said. “Just know in your heart and in your soul that you are a savior of many, even those yet to be born.”