Petty Officer Jim Cava

“The Story of an American Patriot”

 

Jim Cava was born on September 5, 1948 in Hackensack, New Jersey.  Most of his life was spent growing-up in Carlstadt, New Jersey. 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, New Jersey.  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, New Jersey where he graduated 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. 

His patriotism was inborn.  Jim 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 a duty and an honor 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, Illinois.  He was assigned to Company 739, 26^th Battalion, 2^nd Regiment.  Jim was designated 2^nd Platoon Leader and he helped his Company earn: The Regimental “E” Flag, The “I” Means Flag and The Star Means Flag.  Because of his military presence and outstanding accomplishment Jim was awarded the highest honor: Recruit Brigade Commander and on March 9, 1967 he had the distinct privilege of leading the hundreds of naval recruits in the Traditional Graduation Ceremony. 

Jim received his training for Hospital Corpsman at Basic Hospital Corps School, Class “A”, U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School, San Diego, California where he graduated 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, California,  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 fellow Marines 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 Jim's 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 Medical Service 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; for somehow intuitively, he knew something traumatic had happened to him - he just couldn't put it together. 

Jim found himself lying on his back, in a hospital room, in 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 out 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 he continues to give his all today.  Coinciding with his sincere and enduring love for his Creator, his earnest and steadfast love for his Country and his faithful commitment to safeguard Our Children from that which is harmful and anti-American Petty Officer Cava proudly established: OPERATION RED, WHITE AND BLUE. The sole purpose of this non-profit enterprise is to educate and re-educate America, 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.
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Petty Officer Jim Cava

United States Navy Retired

“The Patriotic Voice of America”

Corpsman/5^th Marines, Vietnam 1968

OPERATION RED, WHITE AND BLUE

www.OperationRedWhiteandBlue.com

Founder and Speaker

Telephone: Land 973w427w3871 / Cell 973w454w9277

E-mail: uspatriot1@optonline.net

 

 

GOD BLESS AMERICA