McHugh, John James, 1LT

John James McHugh was a talented smallbore rifle shooter. In 1964, he held several civilian National Rifle Association of America National Rifle Records. He won a second place position in the National Indoor Rifle Championships in early 1964. His first attempt at the Olympics was 1994, as a civilian at Fort Benning, Ga. He was conscripted into the U. S. Army 12 November 1964. After basic training, he attended Advanced Individual Training to become a Draftsman Plotter. He was assigned, on 22 April 1965, as a Private (E-2), to the elite International Rifle Section of The U. S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit, Fort Benning, GA. He lived in the unit barracks building 1498, and participated in shooting competitions with the team. On 12 July 1965, he was promoted to Private First Class. He competed with the team at the 1995 National Rifle Championships at Camp Perry, Ohio. On 8 January 1966, he and the team competed in the NRA National Indoor Rifle Sectional in Conover, NC. He placed second, by two points, to a more experienced team member, a World Champion and Olympic gold medal winner. Jim McHugh?s projected end time in service (ETS) was 11 November 1966. However, he volunteered to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 1 July 1966. He was reassigned back to the International Rifle Team again on 13 July 1966. He continued competition with the team, including 16 September 1966, in the National Outdoor Rifle Regional in Charlotte, NC. He beat 70 other competitors only to lose, by one point, to another MTU teammate, a World Champion and eventual Olympic gold medal winner. Shortly thereafter, he volunteered to become a Green Beret in the U. S. Army Special Forces. His service in the Republic of Viet Nam began on 10 July 1967. He died of wounds from enemy small arms fire in Viet Nam 31 January 1968. Jim had all the talent and motivation to be on the USA Olympic Rifle Team, if he had lived to return and continue in competition.