Michael Jerome McMahon

West Point, 1985

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by CPT Matthew A. Templeman on April 13, 2005:

I did not know LTC McMahon. But I know his legacy. I am the commander of Forward Operating Base Tiger, north of Khandahar in Afghanistan, and of Team Kodiak, the Engineers that are building a road from Kandahar to Tarin Kowt. LTC McMahon, as the 3/4 CAV commander, was involved with the security of the area near my FOB back in July/August of last year, long before I came in-country. Today, I paid a visit to a remote village that will be along the path of our new road. I brought with me the Afghan National Army company that lives at our FOB. We gathered the village elders together and explained to them that we were building a road and the benefits that it would have for them. I also asked them if they knew of any Taliban or "bad guys" in the area, any people with weapons or security threats. I told them that if they ever saw anyone like that, that they should tell me and I could have either some US infantry or some ANA deal with those people. The senior village elder thanked me, and then pulled out LTC McMahon's business card and asked me if I was going to tell LTC McMahon about any trouble in the area. This man was confident that if any Taliban were to give him trouble, LTC McMahon could take care of the problem. Perhaps what is more amazing is that this business card was in like-new condition. This old man living in dirt-poor conditions had not only kept this card pristine, but had kept the card on his person and available. I never had the honor of meeting LTC McMahon, but I know his legacy. He has left Afghanistan a better, safer place...we will miss him. Sincerely, CPT Matthew A. Templeman Commander, Team Kodiak Forward Operating Base Tiger Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

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