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By Army Sgt. Sarah Stannard
JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – New York City Police 9/11 first responder and war hero, Army Staff Sgt. James McNaughton, was honored in a dedication ceremony in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov. 29.
Joint Task Force Guantanamo's new operations building – McNaughton Hall – was dedicated to the memory of McNaughton, a Soldier who, on Aug. 2, 2005, was killed in the line of duty by enemy gunfire.
McNaughton, a member of the '9/11' class at New York's police academy, was one of the first recruits to graduate following the tragic strikes on the World Trade Center. His class term, the longest in the history of the academy, was extended three months to respond to these shocking terrorist attacks.
McNaughton, of Centereach, NY, was a member of what his stepmother, Michele, calls a 'cop family,' as McNaughton's father, stepmother, uncles and even his fiancé all served as police officers. He was the first NYPD officer to be killed in Iraq.
A volunteer for service in Iraq, McNaughton was performing his duties as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Iraqi Highway Patrol Mentorship Program when he was ultimately felled by a sniper's bullet at Camp Victory, near Baghdad's International Airport.
"He was a true Patriot," Mrs. McNaughton's said of him. "He was actually born at West Point, because his father was stationed there then. I guess he was sort of destined to be an American hero that way."
McNaughton served his country as an Army Reservist with the 306th Military Police (MP) Battalion, 800th MP Brigade, and as a New York City Police Department's District 2 transit officer. He served five years of active Army duty prior to becoming a Citizen Soldier and police officer.
"He truly marched to the sound of guns...twice," said Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, current commander of JTF Guantanamo. "He served his country honorably and so we will honor him."
Rear Adm. Harry Harris, director of operations, U.S. Southern Command and former JTF Guantanamo commander, speaking to those in attendance quoted President Calvin Coolidge, "'A nation that forgets is defenders, will itself be forgotten.'" He continued, "We are here today to not only honor a true hero of our nation, but also affix an indelible symbol of bravery, courage and patriotism to this brick and mortar foundation that will stand as a constant reminder to us all of what it means to serve."
The newly christened McNaughton Hall was originally built as a laundry facility for the migrant operations facilities. Now that the approximately $690,000 renovation is complete, the building will house the J-3 directorate, which is the JTF Guantanamo staff organization that facilitates operations and planning.
"It really is an honor," Mrs. McNaughton said. "I know that he would be so proud. Not because he was arrogant, but because I think he would like to inspire people with his story. He was a role model for people, and I think he would have wanted to be a person kids would look up to and say, 'I'd like to be like him.'"
| Date Taken: | 11.30.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.30.2007 16:09 |
| Story ID: | 14323 |
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| Web Views: | 553 |
| Downloads: | 436 |
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