Petty Officer Jim Cava

“The Story of an American Patriot”

Jim Cava was born on September 5, 1948 in Hackensack, NJ.  Most of his life was spent growing-up in Carlstadt, NJ.  It was

in this small industrial town in this great land of America where Jim had the fortunate opportunity and wonderful experience

to have played Little League and Babe Ruth League Baseball and to have run track for his parish community.  In 1953 Jim began

his formal education at St. Joseph’s Grammar School in East Rutherford, NJ.  He was a good student and a devout Christian as he maintained a love for God that was faithfully strong.  Jim attended St. Mary’s High School in Rutherford, NJ graduating in 1966. 

He was an average student, a member of the Student Council and Glee Club and he participated in football, baseball and track.  Aside from having a sincere and enduring love for his Creator, Jim likewise held an earnest and steadfast love for his Country.  Patriotism was natural to him.  He will never forget as a 15-year-old sophomore how deeply concerned and saddened he felt when the news media reported the first American to be killed in action (KIA) in the Viet Nam War.  Oftentimes, he would think of his fellow Americans serving their country so far away and not being there with them. 

Jim believed it to be an honor and his duty to serve his country.   At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy. 

His parents reluctantly but willingly signed the consent papers for they kindly respected his heartfelt patriotism.  After high school graduation, Jim entered boot camp at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL.  He was assigned to Company 739,

26^th Battalion, 2^nd Regiment.  Jim was designated 2^nd Platoon Leader and with his guidance he helped his Company earn:

The Regimental “E” Flag, The “I” Means Flag and The Star Means Flag.  Because of his outstanding accomplishment and military presence Jim was awarded the most prestigious honor to be given to a recruit: “Recruit Brigade Commander” and on March 9, 1967

he had the distinct privilege of leading the hundreds of naval recruits at Recruit Training Command in the Graduation Ceremony. 
 

Jim received his training for Hospital Corpsman at Basic Hospital Corps School, Class “A”, U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School,

San Diego, CA graduating on December 7, 1967.  He was trained for service with a Marine combat unit in preparation for jungle warfare at Field Medical Service School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA, where he graduated on October 8, 1968.  Several days later Jim received orders to serve his country in the Republic of Viet Nam.  He was assigned to India (I) Company,

3^rd Battalion, 5^th Marine Regiment, 1^st Marine Division.  Jim's base camp was a village called An Hoa about 17 kilometers south

of Da Nang.  Most of the time, Jim and his fellow Marines were out in the field, covering the countryside, searching for the enemy.  The “Field” was where the war was, where Charlie (Viet Cong) was; and they went out there to find him and fight him.  As a Corpsman, Jim’s responsibility was to take care of the medical needs of a Marine and most importantly to save his life.  The care

of his men was of utmost importance to Jim, and he was unyielding in his capacity, and in his submission to Duty - Honor - Country.  Jim was confident it was his time to be all that he could be.  But fate would not comply.
 

The day was November 20, 1968 - Operation Meade River.  In their military briefing the night before, Jim and his men were told

to expect a significant encounter with the enemy.  In the early morning darkness these Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans boarded their transport choppers and lifted off one by one en route to the LZ (landing zone).  The last thing Jim can remember before getting shot down by the enemy was the loud roar of the chopper engines with the unmistakable sound of the chopper blades whirling round and round, the paradoxical scenic beauty of the peaceful countryside below, and his rosary in hand as he prayed. 

As chopper approached the LZ,  the enemy opened fire.  The pilot and co-pilot were killed instantly and the huge CH-46 went down, tumbled three times and exploded into a huge ball of fire.  In a violently forceful instant, Jim’s life was transformed into a state of non-existence.  Unconscious, he was pulled to safety from the burning chopper by a brave fellow Marine, and for hours he laid helpless in a rice paddy before a Medevac was able to assist and rescue. 
 

Jim was flown to U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA), Da Nang for emergency medical treatment.  The heartfelt gratitude and admiration he holds for the skilled professionals of our Navy Medical Corps in preserving his life remains everlasting.  Several days later Jim was flown to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, where he awoke from his comatose state.  As he opened his eyes, his first thought was one of thanksgiving; he was ALIVE.  Although he was confused, Jim was not shocked at what he discovered because somehow intuitively, he knew something traumatic had happened to him - he just couldn't put it together.  Jim found himself in a hospital room, on a soft bed, with clean white sheets.  His left arm was gone, and his legs were encased in hard plaster.  Insistently, Jim asked questions in a dire attempt to find out the status of his men, and what had actually happened.  No one really knew.  How could they?  They came from two different worlds. 
 

At first he was told that he was the only survivor, and later he was told that of the seventeen Marines aboard the transport chopper, five were killed and twelve were seriously wounded.  Painstakingly Jim tried, but was never able to find out exactly what happened.  What he did find out was that his left arm was severed above the elbow, his legs were crushed below the knees, his back was fractured in three places, he had received multiple scars, and that he had contracted a staph infection that was causing hideous pustules to break out all over his body.
 

Petty Officer Cava gave his all then and continues to give his all today.  Coinciding with his faithful and everlasting love for Our Creator, his earnest and steadfast love for Our Country and his sincere and enduring love for Our Children to safeguard them from that which is harmful and anti-American Petty Officer Cava established: “OPERATION RED, WHITE AND BLUE.”  The sole purpose of this non-profit enterprise is to educate and re-educate Americans, especially Our Children, to the true meaning and significance of Our American Heritage, Principles and Patriotism; Imparting awareness-for that which is Right and respect-for that which is Honorable and Good / Others and Oneself.  Petty Officer Cava achieves his worthwhile mission through the introduction of inspirational and motivational Patriotic Programs: Kindergarten to Second Grade, Third to Fifth Grade, Sixth to Eighth Grade

and Ninth to Twelfth Grade for Our Children together with a Patriotic Ceremony for adults - rightfully and respectfully titled:

“A SALUTE TO THE GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

Petty Officer Cava believes his life was spared to foster and uphold Our American Heritage, Principles and Patriotism

and he is eternally grateful for this and for all his many blessings as every morning and through the course of his day

he kneels before Our Creator in humble praise and thanksgiving.

To date, Petty Officer Jim Cava has proudly given 2,465 Patriotic Presentations

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

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