Remembering the Life and Memory of...
Colonel John M. McHugh
  
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Hometown: West Caldwell, New Jersey, U.S. Age: 46 years old Died: May 18, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom. Unit: U.S. Army Battle Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Birth: Dec. 3, 1963
West Caldwell Essex County New Jersey, USA Death: May 18, 2010, Afghanistan Col. John M. McHugh, 46, of Newark, N.J.; assigned to the U.S. Army Battle Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; died May 18 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered in a suicide car bombing. Also killed were Lt. Col. Paul R. Bartz, Lt. Col. Thomas P. Belkofer, Staff Sgt. Richard J. Tieman and Spc. Joshua A. Tomlinson. Col. McHugh went home to God on May 18, 2010, while serving with the United States Army in Afghanistan. Funeral services were held in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., on Thursday, May 27, at 11 a.m. A Memorial Mass celebrating his life was held on Saturday, June 5, at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church in Caldwell, N.J. Born in West Caldwell, N.J., John attended St. Aloysius Grammar School, graduated from James Caldwell High School in 1982, and was a member of the graduating class of 1986, United States Military Academy at West Point. John was the loving husband of Connie (Jensen), and the devoted father of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael McHugh, U.S. Army, and his wife, Angela, Kelly Rose, Kristen, Maggie, and David, and grandfather of Abigail Lynn. He also leaves behind his parents, James and Mary Ann McHugh of West Caldwell; his sister, Mary Kate Edwards; brothers, James B. McHugh and Frank McHugh; in-laws, Jeff Edwards and Donna McHugh, and loving niece and nephews, Jim, Tom, Tim, Katie and Brian. John began his military career by attending the United States Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Ala., where he graduated as a UH60 Blackhawk Helicopter pilot. He served in the first Gulf War in 1990, and distinguishably served for 24 years at numerous bases throughout the United States and overseas, most recently being deployed for 15 months to Udairi Army Airfield in Kuwait. He was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations from the United States Army, including the Legion of Merit Award, the Purple Heart, and a second Bronze Star. A natural born leader, John was the head of his athletic teams, both at Caldwell High School, where he excelled at soccer and baseball, and at West Point, where he was goalkeeper for the Army Soccer Team. He continued his love of sports throughout his life, volunteering to coach soccer for his children. A true American hero, John will always be remembered as a man devoted to God, to his country, and to his friends and family. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God." 1 Cor 10:31. Published in Star-Ledger on May 24, 2010 Burial: Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery Fort Leavenworth Leavenworth County Kansas, USA Plot: Sec K Site 147 The "Johnny Mac" story - http://www.johnnymac.org/jmstory.php |
