funeral today

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

COL John M. McHugh USA (KIA)

Cullum: 43461

Class: '86

Cadet Company: D4

Date of Birth: December 3, 1963

Date of Death: May 18, 2010

Col. John M. McHugh, 46, of New Jersey, was assigned to the U.S. Army Battle Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth. He died May 18 in Kabul, Afghanistan, when a suicide bomber steered his explosives-laden Toyota minibus into an American convoy as it moved through the thick of rush-hour traffic. Along with COL McHugh attack killed 17 other people, including 4 other American soldiers (Lt. Col. Paul R. Bartz, 43, of Waterloo, Wis., Lt. Col. Thomas P. Belkofer, 44, of Perrysburg, Ohio, Staff Sgt. Richard J. Tieman, 28, of Waynesboro, Pa., Spc. Joshua A. Tomlinson, 24, of Dubberly, La.) Col. Geoff Parker, RCR, and wounded at approximately 47 civilians. He had arrived in Afghanistan from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., just days before he was killed.

Col McHugh was one of the highest-ranking officers to die in Afghanistan since the war began.

Following his graduation in 1986 he went on to Rotary Wing (Flight School) and UH -60 Aviator courses, McHugh was stationed in Nurnberg, Germany, with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). He served as a platoon leader with S Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd ACR and deployed to Operation Desert Storm as the regimental aviation officer. Upon graduating from the Aviation Advanced Course, McHugh was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo., as a flight operations officer for 4-4 General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) and commander, A Company, 4-4 GSAB. From 1998 until 1999, he was the executive officer for 1-13th Aviation Regiment, Fort Rucker, Ala. From 2001 until 2002, he was the executive officer for 3-58th Aviation Regiment, Giebelstadt, Germany. He served in multiple training assignments. From 1994 – 1996, he was assigned as a UH-60 assault company trainer at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. From 1999-2001, he was a maneuver observer trainer with Operations Group C, Battle Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, and from 2002-2004 he served as the operations officer/aviation operations trainer for the Falcon Observer/Controller Team, Hohenfels, Germany. From 2004-2006, McHugh commanded 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment at Fort Rucker, Ala., and was responsible for providing air traffic control for the U.S. Army Flight School. McHugh has a master’s degree in administration from West Virginia Public University. Following command, McHugh served as executive officer for the Army Air Traffic Services Command and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the deputy commander of the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group. McHugh assumed duties as the chief, Operations Group Alpha, in June 2009 upon graduation from the U.S. Army War College where he received a masters in strategic studies.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Connie McHugh, his five children (two sons - the youngest just

5 years old - and three daughters) and a granddaughter. His oldest child, Michael, was serving in Iraq when his father was killed. He met his father's body in Kuwait and escorted his body home.

McHugh was one of six troops killed during the attack. The Department of Defense identified the others as Army Lt. Col. Paul R. Bartz, 43, of Waterloo, Wis.; Army Lt. Col. Thomas P. Belkofer, 44, of Perrysburg, Ohio; Army Staff Sgt. Richard J. Tieman, 28, of Waynesboro, Pa.; Army Spc. Joshua A. Tomlinson, 24, of Dubberly, La. The sixth was a Canadian.

more to follow as pics from today become available.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

R.I.P

[luckytxn 2,264]

God bless and God speed to this great hero. My condolences to the family and I wish them to find peace.

[Nagishkaw 510]

(F) (F) (F) (F) (F)

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Poor family. May they find strength through this horrible tragedy.

[alienlovechild 75]

Col. John M. McHugh, 46, of New Jersey, was assigned to the U.S. Army Battle Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth. He died May 18 in Kabul, Afghanistan, when a suicide bomber steered his explosives-laden Toyota minibus into an American convoy as it moved through the thick of rush-hour traffic. Along with COL McHugh attack killed 17 other people, including 4 other American soldiers (Lt. Col. Paul R. Bartz, 43, of Waterloo, Wis., Lt. Col. Thomas P. Belkofer, 44, of Perrysburg, Ohio, Staff Sgt. Richard J. Tieman, 28, of Waynesboro, Pa., Spc. Joshua A. Tomlinson, 24, of Dubberly, La.) Col. Geoff Parker, RCR, and wounded at approximately 47 civilians. He had arrived in Afghanistan from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., just days before he was killed.

Col McHugh was one of the highest-ranking officers to die in Afghanistan since the war began.

I haven't heard much about higher ranking officers KIA. Isn't this single bombing the worst as far as field grade officers KIA or wounded? Not say the other soldiers or civilians don't matter, though. Sounds like the suicide bomber had intel where to hit in the convoy.

Edited May 27, 2010 by alienlovechild

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

RIP Colonel

[KaiserD 12]

That picture with the little boy is just terrible That poor family

[Teacher Mark 53]

I see the whackos from Westboro Baptist Church are going to pay their disrespect at his funeral.

http://www.examiner.com/x-20216-Shreveport-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner~y2010m5d26-Patriot-Guard-to-stand-against-Westboro-Baptist-Church

Edited May 28, 2010 by Mr. Saigon

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

more pics

when a soldier is kia overseas and buried at the fort leavenworth cemetary, everyone (work permitting) lines the streets to pay respects to the fallen soldier.