South Haven American Legion Post has 3 Medal of Honor recipients

South Haven resident James McCloughan was awarded the Medal of Honor on Monday. He is the third member of American Legion Post 49 to receive the honor. His fellow veterans at the post are proud of their friend.

“When I come out here, especially when I'm alone, it’s very, very solemn to me. Through all these conflicts, here are their names in here, some you’ve known, some who’ve passed," Post Commander Stanley Wakild said.

It’s this community’s foundation for freedom. Veterans from the area memorialized for their service.

But one name among many stands out.

“When it first came out, you read it in the paper ‘Local coach might get Medal of Honor.’ What? What’s going on here?” Wakild said.

Jim McCloughan a highly decorated man from the Army and a member of this post for decades.

Yet still quite modest to most.

“He’s pretty to himself about those kinds of things," Wakild said.

He’d rather open up about sports.

“You start talking sports, baseball, I believe he was a wrestling coach too. You get on them subjects, now he’s got stories,” Wakild said.

He now has a story about receiving the highest honor in the military.

But it wouldn’t be the first time it was heard at this post.

“We have one from the Civil War, Wilcox, we have Duane Dewey, Korean veteran. His medal was given to him by President Eisenhower, we got his pictures up here. And now Jim McCloughan under President Trump," Wakild said.

Yet another accomplishment for this home of the brave.

The post will host a dedication event recognizing those who served in the Vietnam War. McCloughan and fellow Medal of Honor recipient Duane Dewey will be there.

The event will be held on August 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.