More detail on this person: JOHN J. MCGRADY, 51, WAS HERO DURING VIETNAM WAR JOHN J. MCGRADY, 51, WAS HERO DURING VIETNAM WAR Plain Dealer, The (Cleveland, OH) - Tuesday, October 22, 1996 John J. McGrady, a 1963 graduate of Lorain High School, earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism above and beyond the call of duty while serving in the Army in the Vietnam War. He won the honor for his service as the commander of a military helicopter that evacuated 20 members of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group near Tay Ninh in Vietnam in 1967. The CIDG was a program of paramilitary forces among ethnic and religious minorities of South Vietnam organized by the CIA and trained by the Green Berets. Mr. McGrady, a warrant officer with the 187th Assault Helicopter Unit, and his crew flew in a thunderstorm, facing small-arms fire from the enemy, to rescue the CIDG personnel. After completing his military service, the Lorain native worked as a pilot for Northwest Orient Airlines and for several oil companies. Mr. McGrady, 51, of Pembrook, Fla., died of complications of cancer Thursday at the VA Medical Center in Miami. He is survived by his son, Cody of Buford, Ga.; his mother, Katherine Schmidt of Elyria; and two sisters. Graveside services were yesterday at Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Burial information: Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst, OH
This information was last updated 07/16/2019
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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