Thomas J. McMahon, United States Army: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. McMahon distinguished himself while serving as medical aid man with Company A. When the lead elements of his company came under heavy fire from well-fortified enemy positions, 3 soldiers fell seriously wounded. Sp4c. McMahon, with complete disregard for his safety, left his covered position and ran through intense enemy fire to the side of 1 of the wounded, administered first aid and then carried him to safety. He returned through the hail of fire to the side of a second wounded man. Although painfully wounded by an exploding mortar round while returning the wounded man to a secure position, Sp4c. McMahon refused medical attention and heroically ran back through the heavy enemy fire toward his remaining wounded comrade. He fell mortally wounded before he could rescue the last man. Sp4c. McMahon’s undaunted concern for the welfare of his comrades at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

James “Doc” Kaiser, a fellow medic in the 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division submitted the request to enroll McMahon in the Legion of Valor. Kaiser was also wounded on 19 March 1969, the same day McMahon was killed in action. Rich Rinaldo, DSC, our Senior Vice Commander, submitted the original MOH recommendation on McMahon back in 1969.

In August, 1970 President Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to McMahon’s mother in a White House Ceremony. Then, on July 28, 1971, the town of Lewiston, Maine, where Tommie grew up, dedicated and named it’s school “The Thomas J. McMahon Elementary School.” The Sunday Bulletin at St. Patrick’s Church, which Tommie attended as a youth, pointed up a deeper dimension of his posthumous award. It said “In the midst of brutal war and the poignancy of young death, Tom’s heroic sacrifice serves as a reminder of the biblical passage that ‘Greater love no man has than that he lay down his life for his friend.’”

On September 11, 2015 Rich Rinaldo attended a rededication ceremony at the Thomas J. McMahon Elementary School. Rich, in between Tommie’s two brothers Mike and Robert, is displaying the LOV certificate which will be hung alongside the McMahon display case in the school which also has a marble bench at their flag pole circle dedicated in his memory. The ceremony was attended by students, McMahon family members, and many Vietnam Veterans in addition to Bob MacDonald, the Governor of Maine, who said “we must remember that we are a Nation of brave men.”