James F. Sheehan, a long time resident and pillar of the Flagler Beach, Florida community, was a career US Marine with a distinguished career of 25 years, rising through the ranks from Private to Lieutenant Colonel. He enlisted on 03/25/1952 and was selected for a 4 year scholarship at Worcester State University, graduating with a BA in 1955 as President of the Student Body, and was subsequently commissioned as 2ndLt. Jim was initially selected for US Naval Flight School (fixed wing), but dropped on request due to depth perception problems that surfaced during his time qualifing with the T-6 Texan trainer. Jim subsequently served as an extremely skilled Infantry Officer (0302) with a secondary of Logistics Officer (0702). His combat service included Quemoy/ Matsu Islands, Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, Dominican Republic and Vietnam (2 tours; significant battles included Hue, Tet Offensive, and Tet Counteroffensive). He also had overseas service in Haiti; Cuba; Ft Sherman, Panama; Okinawa, and Thailand. Jim was stricken with Malaria on one occasion. He completed the US Army Jungle Warfare School, US Army Unconventional Warfare Officer Qualification Course (subsequently served with SOG during his 1st deployment to Vietnam), Armed Forces Staff College (Class President), and US Naval Post Graduate School. He served as adjunct professor at both Strayer College and the University of Southern California, and authored the Data Processiing Curriculum for Command & General Staff College. Jim's awards included the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal with 1 Gold Service Star, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Device, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Service Medal with 60 Device, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, USMC Rifle Expert Marksmanship Badge, and USMC Pistol Expert Marksmanship Badge. Jim also had 2.5 years of sea duty aboard the USS Midway, USS Sandoval, USS Frederick Fremont, USS Chilton, USS Guadalcanal, USS McKinley, and the USS Saipan. He also earned 2 MBAs in Financial Analysis and Computer Science from American University and George Washington University as a selectee for US Naval Post Graduate School. His last assignment was within the Pentagon, US Army Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, which ended in his retirement in 1977. While serving as a career Marine, Jim met and married the Love of his Life, Capt Dorothy Olds Sheehan of Texas, USMC, who predeceased him in 2000. After his retirement, he moved to Flagler Beach, Florida and owned the Safeway Grocery Store on SR 100, until selling it to become an extremely successful venture capitalist. Jim was a Life Member of VFW Post 5213, where he served 3 times as Post Commander and over 20 years as the Post Adjutant. He was also a Life Member of DAV "Jim Bowie" Chapter 86, and served 32 years as a Flagler Beach Library Volunteer. He was a Master Mason and Past Worshipful Master with Bunnell Lodge 200. Jim established a scholarship endowment for Worcester State University, had the dining facility, Sheehan Hall, built and named in his honor, and Worcester State conferred upon him the Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree. Jim and Dorothy had no children, but he had 1 Godson, Caleb J. Barzelogna, who was very close to him and loved him dearly. After retirement, Jim contracted cancer but was treated successfully and went into remission. He developed serious issues with heart disease that manifested itself with low blood pressure that eventually cost him his life. He passed away at the Hospice Center near Florida Hospital after 3 days of fighting hard for his life. Jim served during a time period within the Corps that he knew and interacted with many Marines who are legendary today, and I vividly remember several of his comments regarding them. As a company commander, one of his platoon leaders was a son-in-law of GEN Lewis "Chesty" Puller, and GEN Puller would drop in on him unannounced every other month or so for a "Status Report" on his "boy." (Jim indicated that he thanked God this lieutenant was one of his best, so he never had anything derogatory to say to GEN Puller.) He also knew GEN Wilson, Commandant during the time that I served in the USMCR. He indicated that GEN Wilson had retired more USMC officers than Social Security. I will always remember LtCol Sheehan as a dear friend, comrade, and family member for his brilliance, tremendous work ethic, bravery, loyalty and patriotism. God bless you, Sir. Rest in Peace.
James F. Sheehan, a long time resident and pillar of the Flagler Beach, Florida community, was a career US Marine with a distinguished career of 25 years, rising through the ranks from Private to Lieutenant Colonel. He enlisted on 03/25/1952 and was selected for a 4 year scholarship at Worcester State University, graduating with a BA in 1955 as President of the Student Body, and was subsequently commissioned as 2ndLt. Jim was initially selected for US Naval Flight School (fixed wing), but dropped on request due to depth perception problems that surfaced during his time qualifing with the T-6 Texan trainer. Jim subsequently served as an extremely skilled Infantry Officer (0302) with a secondary of Logistics Officer (0702). His combat service included Quemoy/ Matsu Islands, Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, Dominican Republic and Vietnam (2 tours; significant battles included Hue, Tet Offensive, and Tet Counteroffensive). He also had overseas service in Haiti; Cuba; Ft Sherman, Panama; Okinawa, and Thailand. Jim was stricken with Malaria on one occasion. He completed the US Army Jungle Warfare School, US Army Unconventional Warfare Officer Qualification Course (subsequently served with SOG during his 1st deployment to Vietnam), Armed Forces Staff College (Class President), and US Naval Post Graduate School. He served as adjunct professor at both Strayer College and the University of Southern California, and authored the Data Processiing Curriculum for Command & General Staff College. Jim's awards included the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal with 1 Gold Service Star, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Device, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Service Medal with 60 Device, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, USMC Rifle Expert Marksmanship Badge, and USMC Pistol Expert Marksmanship Badge. Jim also had 2.5 years of sea duty aboard the USS Midway, USS Sandoval, USS Frederick Fremont, USS Chilton, USS Guadalcanal, USS McKinley, and the USS Saipan. He also earned 2 MBAs in Financial Analysis and Computer Science from American University and George Washington University as a selectee for US Naval Post Graduate School. His last assignment was within the Pentagon, US Army Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, which ended in his retirement in 1977. While serving as a career Marine, Jim met and married the Love of his Life, Capt Dorothy Olds Sheehan of Texas, USMC, who predeceased him in 2000. After his retirement, he moved to Flagler Beach, Florida and owned the Safeway Grocery Store on SR 100, until selling it to become an extremely successful venture capitalist. Jim was a Life Member of VFW Post 5213, where he served 3 times as Post Commander and over 20 years as the Post Adjutant. He was also a Life Member of DAV "Jim Bowie" Chapter 86, and served 32 years as a Flagler Beach Library Volunteer. He was a Master Mason and Past Worshipful Master with Bunnell Lodge 200. Jim established a scholarship endowment for Worcester State University, had the dining facility, Sheehan Hall, built and named in his honor, and Worcester State conferred upon him the Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree. Jim and Dorothy had no children, but he had 1 Godson, Caleb J. Barzelogna, who was very close to him and loved him dearly. After retirement, Jim contracted cancer but was treated successfully and went into remission. He developed serious issues with heart disease that manifested itself with low blood pressure that eventually cost him his life. He passed away at the Hospice Center near Florida Hospital after 3 days of fighting hard for his life. Jim served during a time period within the Corps that he knew and interacted with many Marines who are legendary today, and I vividly remember several of his comments regarding them. As a company commander, one of his platoon leaders was a son-in-law of GEN Lewis "Chesty" Puller, and GEN Puller would drop in on him unannounced every other month or so for a "Status Report" on his "boy." (Jim indicated that he thanked God this lieutenant was one of his best, so he never had anything derogatory to say to GEN Puller.) He also knew GEN Wilson, Commandant during the time that I served in the USMCR. He indicated that GEN Wilson had retired more USMC officers than Social Security. I will always remember LtCol Sheehan as a dear friend, comrade, and family member for his brilliance, tremendous work ethic, bravery, loyalty and patriotism. God bless you, Sir. Rest in Peace.
