John McGee Bohen

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres Chacon on July 29, 2003:

John McGee Bohen Born June 14, 1927 - Died April 1, 1979 John McGee "Maggie" Bohen was born in Minnesota on 14 June 1927 and was appointed to West Point on a Senatorial appointment from North Dakota. His West Point classmates recall: "West Point means more than just four years at a military school to Maggie. Never one to be in the highest sections he fought plebe math, yearling French and cow social science to the last bell. Another highlight was a broken ankle in the Goat-Engineer game. Truly he can look back upon his days at the Academy and realize that for four long and hard years he aimed only for the gold bars." During his cadet days Maggie went out for Football, Hockey and Track plebe year; was on the Duty Committee cow and first class years; was with the French Club yearling year; played Goat Football cow year; and was a Cadet Lieutenant his first class year serving as Battalion Training Officer. Upon graduation Maggie went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to the 82nd Airborne Division where he served from 1951 to 1953. Maggie's next assignment was to the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division in Korea where he served in 1953 and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy; the Commendation Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1959 Maggie was assigned to the Staff & Faculty at The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1968 Maggie earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from Tulane University and on completion was assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam where he served from 1969 to 1970 and was decorated with a second Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy. From 1970 to 1972 Maggie accepted his last military assignment and served with the Combat Development Command and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Maggie retired from the United States Army in 1972 as a Lieutenant Colonel and accepted a position with the George Washington University Medical Center as a Department Director. In 1973 Maggie was appointed Director of the Office of Housing where he served until his death on 1 April 1979, in Annandale, Virginia where he and his wife Dolores made their home. Mrs. John McGee Bohen (Dolores) continues to make her home in Annandale and serves as representative of the class widows to the our class. The July 1991 Assembly noted that "Dolores Bohen has had another great year; her exciting career in education continues; has had significant recognition and stature as an author; and had an elegant February wedding for youngest daughter - all a wonderful tribute to a tremendous person." jac; 18378, wc 409

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