More detail on this person: Douglas A
McCAUGHEY, Jr., Lt.Col., USMC (Ret.) Doug
McCaughey passed away on February 6, 2012 after
a long illness, surrounded by family and friends.
His battle was not lost without a tough fight.
Doug was born March 9, 1931 in Seattle, WA and
as a child, the family moved often, but Doug's
roots were always in the Pacific Northwest, where
he spent the last 35 years of his life. In 1951,
Doug joined the United States Marine Corps where
he had a distinguished, and beloved, 20 year
career. He enlisted and went through Boot Camp at
MCRD in San Diego, where he was the Honor Grad
in his Platoon. After a short stint at Camp
Pendleton, he became a Naval Cadet, and in 1953
graduated from flight school in Pensacola as a 2nd
Lt. He was then stationed at MCAS El Toro, where
he was assigned to the first swept wing jet
fighter squadron in the Marine Corps. In 1960,
Doug was chosen to be the Marine member of the
Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team, with
whom he flew air shows for 3 years from 1960-62.
From mid-1965 through 1970, he had 3 separate
combat tours in Vietnam, totaling 38 months
in-Country. During the first two he flew A-6 and
F-4 combat missions, and spent time on the ground
supervising the building of a school. On the
third tour he was Commanding officer of a
helicopter squadron, HML 167, flying mostly
medevac missions. Doug received numerous
awards and commendations during his career,
including the Distinguished Flying Cross, 52 total
Air Medals with Gold Star, and a Bronze Star. He
happily racked up 5,000 flying hours, including
props, Jets and helicopters. For all of his
achievements and service, Doug remained a humble
man, always preferring the light to shine on
someone else.
During his career in the Marine Corps, Doug
completed his Bachelor's Degree in Business
Economics at Syracuse University in 1968, at the
age of 37. He then called his father, back in
Seattle, to remind him that he'd promised to give
Doug a car when he graduated college. After a
short silence his father said, "Sorry, Son, the
statute of limitations has run on that offer."
Doug retired from the military in 1971, moved to
Fredericksburg, VA, and started a new career in
real estate. He lived in and around
Fredericksburg, Alexandria and Washington, DC
until 1977 when he decided to return home to the
Northwest. He moved to Bellevue, WA and joined
John L. Scott Real Estate, where he enjoyed a
successful second career as both an Agent and a
Broker/Manager. He retired for the second time in
the early 1990's.
In 1983, Doug met his wife Anne. They were
married in 1992 and spent as much time as
possible participating in Doug's favorite pastimes
for his later years - traveling and boating. Doug
bought his first boat in 1985. (This opportunity
was possible due to some "extra" money made
available when son Mike graduated college.) After
suffering ill health, Doug's last trip was in
November when he traveled to Pensacola, FL for the
100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation, the 65th
birthday of the Blue Angels, and the opportunity
to spend precious time with great, longtime
friends. Doug was a husband, father, Marine and
friend, and will be missed by everyone who knew
him. He is survived by his wife Anne, one son,
his brother and two nieces. In lieu of flowers,
the family asks that donations may be made in
Doug's name to either the Marine Corps Semper Fi
Fund, or Wounded Warriors.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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