Doc's Story
My name is James B McCloughan, not to be confused with James C McCloughan, my father and a Medal of Honor recipient. After graduating from Central Michigan University in 1993, I began applying to the Michigan Department of State Police (MSP). I started my career with the MSP on September 11, 1994. After graduating from the 110th recruit school, I was assigned to the Flint Post for over five years. In April of 2000, I was selected for promotion to the polygraph section. While working in the polygraph section, I was elected to the American Polygraph Association board of directors. I have served on the board since 2012 and have been elected president twice. I served in the polygraph section until my retirement at the end of September 2025. I have always loved both fishing and hunting, though my ability to do those things was limited when I became a parent in 1997. My three kids and work kept me busy. As the kids grew, there were more opportunities for hunting and fishing, though I mostly hunted and fished, not shot and caught. Now that I have retired and am in private practice, I’m hoping to have more time to do those things.
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Medal of Honor Recipient, Jim “Doc” McCloughan
Born in South Haven, MI, Mr. McCloughan was raised in the rural area of Bangor, MI. He graduated from Olivet College in 1968 with a BA in Sociology.
Drafted into the United States Army in 1968, Jim served as a combat medic with the Americal Division where he rose to the rank of Specialist Five. In one battle alone “Doc” McCloughan has been credited with moving into the “kill zone” on ten occasions, saving ten American lives and one Vietnamese interpreter’s life. Specialist McCloughan was highly decorated receiving the Combat Medic Badge, two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars with “V” device for valor, The U. S. Army Valorous Unit Citation, The National Defense Medal, The Good Conduct Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal with three Battle Stars, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palms and one Oak Leaf Cluster and the M16 Expert Rifle Badge. In 2017, Jim was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military commendation.
In 1970, upon returning home from service to our country, Mr. McCloughan resumed his contract with South Haven Public Schools and in 1972 earned a MA in counseling. Remaining with South Haven High School for thirty eight years, Jim taught psychology and sociology while coaching football, wrestling, baseball, and American Legion Baseball. As a MHSAA wrestling official, he was selected to referee eighteen MI Wrestling State Finals. Jim has been inducted into three athletic halls of fame, plus the MI High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, the MI High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, the MI High School Coaches Hall of Fame which represents coaches from all boys’ and girls’ sports and the MI Wrestling Hall of Fame. In June 2019, Jim was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Some of Jim’s other prestigious awards: The Wolverine Conference Distinguished Service Award; The Olivet College Distinguished Alumni Award, The Olivet College Leadership Award, DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal, The Paul Harris Fellow Award by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, The 2017 State of Michigan Veteran of The Year Award, The 2018 Department of Michigan Legionnaire of The Year Award, 2017 MI Fitness Foundation Governor’s Award - Veteran of the Year, The Peaceful Warrior’s Foundation Military and Career Service Award, and induction into The US Pentagon Hall of Heroes.
Since retirement Jim has remained dedicated to his community and the nation, as a member of non-profit organizations, serving multiple charitable projects, assuming roles on boards and preforming as a vocalist. Representing the Medal of Honor, Jim speaks across the nation. He also has served as the Vice President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, chair of the Valor Outreach Program, and is the chair of the Character Development Program, designed to instill ethical virtues in America’s youth, plus serving as chair of the CMOH Society Citizen Awards committee. He and his wife, Chérie, reside in Saugatuck, MI. They have four adult children, seven grandchildren, and two standard poodles.
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James McCloughan's Medal of Honor citation reads:
“Private First Class McCloughan distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty from May 13th through 15th, 1969, while serving as a combat medic with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. The company air assaulted into an area near Tam Ky and Nui Yon Hill. On May 13th, with complete disregard for his life, he ran 100 meters in an open field through heavy fire to rescue a comrade too injured to move and carried him to safety. That same day, 2nd Platoon was ordered to search the area near Nui Yon Hill when the platoon was ambushed by a large North Vietnamese Army force and sustained heavy casualties. With complete disregard for his life and personal safety, Private First Class McCloughan led two Americans into the safety of a trench while being wounded by shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade. He ignored a direct order to stay back, and braved an enemy assault while moving into the "kill zone" on four more occasions to extract wounded comrades. He treated the injured, prepared the evacuation, and though bleeding heavily from shrapnel wounds on his head and entire body, refused evacuation to safety in order to remain at the battle site with his fellow soldiers who were heavily outnumbered by the North Vietnamese Army forces. On May 14th, the platoon was again ordered to move out towards Nui Yon Hill. Private First Class McCloughan was wounded a second time by small arms fire and shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade while rendering aid to two soldiers in an open rice paddy. In the final phases of the attack, two companies from 2nd North Vietnamese Army Division and an element of 700 soldiers from a Viet Cong regiment descended upon Charlie Company's position on three sides. Private First Class McCloughan, again with complete disregard for his life, went into the crossfire numerous times throughout the battle to extract the wounded soldiers, while also fighting the enemy. His relentless and courageous actions inspired and motivated his comrades to fight for their survival. When supplies ran low, Private First Class McCloughan volunteered to hold a blinking strobe light in an open area as a marker for a nighttime resupply drop. He remained steadfast while bullets landed all around him and rocket-propelled grenades flew over his prone, exposed body. During the morning darkness of May 15th, Private First Class McCloughan knocked out a rocket-propelled grenade position with a grenade, fought and eliminated enemy soldiers, treated numerous casualties, kept two critically-wounded soldiers alive through the night, and organized the dead and wounded for evacuation at daylight. His timely and courageous actions were instrumental in saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. Private First Class McCloughan's personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division and the United States Army.”
