Posted by Terry Powers on January 8, 2023:

JAMES J. COGHLAN JR. 1949 Cullum No. 17264-1949 | November 13, 2019 | Died in Walnut Creek, CA Cremated. Inurned at West Point Cemetery, NY The son of an Army officer, James Joseph "Jim" Coghlan Jr. knew early on that he wanted to devote his life to military service. His childhood years at Fort McKinley in the Philippines, where his father was stationed and his mother taught school, had a significant influence on his life goal. In his teen years, pre-dating the Salk vaccine, he contracted polio. His mother, applying the Sister Kenny method, diligently nursed him back to health. Despite some aftereffects of the polio, Jim applied for and won a coveted congressional appointment to West Point. He was one of the younger cadets, as many in his class were veterans of World War II. At the Academy, he became known as "JJ," and his time was filled with rigorous study and serious preparation for a military career. He also developed fledgling professional relationships with his classmates, many of whom became lifelong friends. After graduation in 1949, Jim trained as a Field Artillery officer and as a Paratrooper. In between, he married Sarah Ann Evans of Newton, MA, with whom he had four children. His devotion to family included helping his children learn from varied experiences, taking them on treks, noting historical landmarks wherever they traveled, and supporting their schooling, often from overseas postings. Specifically, his three sons have precious memories of him leading them at an early age up to the summit of Mount Fuji. By personal example, Jim instilled in them the value of nature and education, being kind, and doing the right thing. Jim's training initiated 30 years of dedicated service, including leadership roles in several overseas postings. In the first winter of the Korean War he served as forward observer with I Company, 187th Parachute Infantry Regiment ("Rakkasans"). In retirement, the 187th Airborne Rakkasans cap was his favorite head covering, one that prompted many veterans to stop and swap service tales and others to ask what "Rakkasans" meant. Jim was happy to explain that it was a Japanese term for "umbrella," symbolizing the parachute. After Korea, a three-year tour with the 82nd Airborne Division followed, then successive assignments elsewhere as a guided-missile instructor, Field Artillery adviser to the Chinese Army in Taiwan, and senior artillery instructor at West Point. With the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam, Jims duties included command of the helicopter-transported 1st Battalion, 21st Artillery in a period encompassing three major battles: the Battle for Hue during the Tet Offensive of 1968, relief of the Khe Sanh Combat Base, and air assault into the A Shau Valley. Post-Vietnam assignments included a tour at the Pentagon, then a posting to the U.S. Army Headquarters in Germany, first as a general staff officer in charge of planning parachute operations and later as chief of the plans division. Transferring directly to Korea, Jim became the U.S. operations officer of the 183,000-strong U.S. and South Korean force defending the western half of South Korea. During that assignment, he personally led the effort that recovered the remains of a U.S. officer killed in the detonation of the tunnel dug by North Korean forces beneath the demilitarized zone. Jim retired in 1979 after 30 years of service. During that span, he had spent 11 years overseas, including one three-year tour in Germany and fiver hardship tours in Asia. His career was also distinguished by his appointment to the US Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and later as a senior officer, to the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Both were marks of professional attainment. His awards and decorations include MSM (3), BSM V, MSM, Sir Medal, ACM (3), and Korea and Vietnam Service medal with campaign stars. Following his retirement, Jim enrolled in a U.S. Army sponsored graduate program at the University of Arizona. There, he pursued courses that continued his affiliation and affection for Asia, earning him a master's degree in oriental studies. The curriculum allowed for a summer of language study in Taiwan where he met Vera Young, who was originally from Hawaii. They were married a year later. They then settled in the Bay Area, home to a small group of West Point alumni of the Class of 1949. There was great camaraderie among the Bay Area '49ers, and getting together for lunch or dinner was always a memorable reliving of the past. This merry band also took much delight in the West Coast West Point reunions. The gatherings sadly came to an end as members of the group moved or passed away. Post retirement, Jim signed on as a technical editor for the magazine Defense Electronics, which provided him the opportunity to draw upon his military experience and his affinity for the written word. He took great pride in his articles, especially rising to the challenge of crafting cogent titles for his contributions. Writing for the magazine was gratifying, easing the transition from his Army career. On November 13, 2019, Jim succumbed to an accident that occurred a few days earlier. He leaves behind his wife, Vera; his sons: James Joseph Coghlan III of Santa Fe, NM, Edward Evans Coghlan of Tucson, AZ, and David West Coghlan of San Francisco, CA; and his daughter, Anne Troy Coghlan of Santa Fe, NM. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Llana Amber Jordan, Sara Solis Kelly, Dillon West Kelly, Leeanne Patricia Coghlan, and James West Coghlan; and his great-grandson, Liam Covington Jordan. Survivors also include his sister, Mrs. C.V. White of Lookout Mt., GA; and many nieces and nephews. Throughout his military career, Colonel James Joseph Coghlan Jr. exemplified the best of West Point values. Colonel Richard Welker, another good friend, commented that "his incredible intellect and leadership skills were models for peers and subordinates." Be Thou at Peace, JJ.

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