Joseph C. McDonough

Joseph Corbett McDonough (September 30, 1924 – June 22, 2005) was a highly decorated United States Army Major General who served for 33 years including one combat tour during the Korean War and two combat tours during the Vietnam War. During his first tour in Vietnam (1967–1968), then Colonel McDonough commanded the 2nd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division which played a crucial role in Operation Pegasus, the relief of the besieged U.S. Marine Combat Base at Khe Sanh in April 1968. General McDonough went on to hold several staff and command positions including Commanding General, 8th Infantry Division between 1973-1975 and United States Commander, Berlin 1975–1978.

Early life and education

McDonough was born into an Irish American family in New York City on September 30, 1924, and grew up in Chatham Borough, New Jersey. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 1945 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry. He earned a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Georgetown University in 1957.

In 1951-1952 he attended the Advanced Course, Infantry School at Fort Benning and from there he was deployed to Korea. McDonough spent a year in combat with the 1st Battalion, 223rd Infantry Regiment as a rifle company commander, battalion operations officer and battalion executive officer and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his service.

Vietnam War

In May 1967, McDonough joined the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam as the Battalion Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry. During this period the battalion participated in Operation Pershing I and II which was a battle against enemy forces and an effort to assist the Vietnamese in establishing a pacification program in Bình Định province.

McDonough completed his tour in Vietnam in May 1968 and departed for the United States. For his service in Vietnam, he was decorated with Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, two Legion of Merit, second Bronze Star Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 33 Oak Leaf Clusters. He also received several decorations from the Government of South Vietnam.

He held that assignment until July 1975, when he was transferred to Berlin for duty as the United States Commander. He remained in that capacity until June 1978, when he returned to the United States and retired, completing 33 years on active service. McDonough received his second Distinguished Service Medal for his service in Germany. General McDonough's soldiers regarded him as a tough, but fair and compassionate commander. The safety and welfare of his troops was always his priority.

Retirement

After his retirement from the Army, McDonough served as the Executive Vice President of Operations for Butler Aviation in Montvale, New Jersey 1980 – 1992. He died on June 22, 2005, at the age of 80 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia with full military honors. His wife of 60 years Mary Patricia Aaron McDonough (March 11, 1925 – May 18, 2018) was later interred with him.

Decorations Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Joseph C. McDonough:

Badge1st Cavalry Division Combat Service Identification BadgeBadgeRepublic of Vietnam Parachutist BadgeRibbonsRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

BadgesArmy Staff Identification BadgeJoint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge