The Story of an American Patriot

Petty Officer Jim Cava

“The Story of An American Patriot”

Biography

Jim Cava was born on September 5, 1948 to the loving and caring parents of Carmen and Rose Cava in Hackensack Hospital, 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 at the age of five, he began his formal education at Saint Joseph’s Grammar School in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Jim was a good student and a devout Christian. He was proud to be an altar boy and for six dedicated years he served his Creator in that capacity. Jim attended Saint 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 faithful and everlasting love for his Creator, Jim likewise held a earnest and steadfast love for his country. Jim's patriotism was natural. He will never forget in 1963, as a fifteen-year-old high school sophomore, how concerned and saddened he felt when the news media reported the first Honorable and Brave Patriotic American to be Killed-in-Action (KIA) in the Vietnam War. Jim believed it to be an honor and his duty to serve his country. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Navy. His discerning parents reluctantly but willingly signed the consent papers for they kindly respected his heartfelt patriotism. Directly following high school, Jim entered boot camp at the United States Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. He was assigned to Company 739, 26^th Battalion, 2^nd Regiment. Jim was chosen 2^nd Platoon Leader and he helped his Company earn the Regimental ‘E’ Flag, the ‘I’ Means Flag and the Star Means Flag. Jim was awarded the highest honor - Recruit Brigade Commander and with great pride on March 9, 1967 he had the distinct privilege of leading the hundreds of graduating naval recruits at Recruit Training Command in the Traditional Graduation Review. Jim received his medical 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. And he 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.

The ongoing Vietnam War preoccupied his mind. Often, Jim would think of my fellow Americans serving their country so far away and not being there with them. Immediately following completion of Field Medical Service School, he received orders to serve his country in the Republic of Vietnam. He was assigned to I Company, 3^rd Battalion,

5^th Marine Regiment, 1^st Marine Division. His base camp was a village called An Hoa, approximately 17 kilometers south of Da Nang. Jim and his fellow Marines spent most of their time out in the field; covering the countryside, searching for the enemy. Going out into the field in Vietnam could mean a number of things, none of them pleasant or easy like: stepping on a land mine or into a hidden trap, getting ambushed or hit a by snipers bullet, getting captured (Prisoner-of-War, POW) or lost (Missing-in-Action, MIA), getting bit by a huge rat or a malaria carrying mosquito, getting bit by a venomous snake, scorpion or deadly tarantula, getting blood sucked by slimy leeches or gnawed at by giant red ants, getting attacked by a mountain lion or a 1,800 pound water buffalo, getting some peculiar rash or jungle rot - etc., etc., etc. “The Field” was where the war was, where Charlie (Vietcong) was; and the Marines went out there to find him and fight him. Jim was not afraid for his faith sustained him. His prayer was: No matter how I get home God - just get me home. The Vietnam War was an unconventional type of warfare for the American soldier. It was guerrilla warfare. There was no line of demarcation, no front. The field and Charlie could be anywhere and everywhere. Depending on what type of unit an American served in, the way to go out into the field might be in an aircraft, on a boat, in a wheeled or tracked vehicle, or on his own two feet. Jim and his fellow Marines went on foot. Going on foot in Vietnam was “humping the boonies”, hauling a heavy combat load (approximately 70 lbs.) through jungles, rice paddies and elephant grass, across streams and rivers, up hills and mountains, under a cruel sun or in a monsoon rain; in mud, sand or dust. They were called and defined as the “The Ultimate Weapon” - The Infantryman (foot soldier). Throughout the course of history the foot soldier has been the elemental part of warfare; the one who carries out the basic dirty work of war. Through the course of time the uniforms and the weapons have changed, but the job of the foot soldier has not changed. He is still the one who has to muck it out with the enemy at close range, the one who ultimately conquers, and holds or loses the real estate. In Vietnam the foot soldier picked up a new nickname: The “grunt”. As a Corpsman, it was Jim's job to take care of the medical needs of a Marine, and most importantly to save his life. Besides being a Corpsman, he was a brother, a friend and a morale builder. The designated weapon for a Corpsman was a .45 caliber pistol, which was to be used in defending a wounded Marine and himself against the ensuing enemy. Jim found the .45 to be not only inadequate but impractical. He

carried an M-16 semi-automatic rifle, two bandoleers of magazines, two hand-grenades, medical bag and field pack. Jim was not the average Corpsman. He was a Marine/Corpsman, and he was confident and capable, ready and equipped to do what was necessary.

Although Jim was discontented and discomforted with the leadership of his country in bringing the war to a decisive end, it did not deter him from his assigned duty and moral obligation. The care of his men was of utmost importance to him, and he was unyielding in his capacity, and in his submission to Duty ¶ Honor ¶ Country. He 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 before long each helicopter lifted off one by one en route to the LZ (landing zone). To this day 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. Jim's helicopter was the first and only chopper to be shot down that day. As the 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 ball of fire.

In a violently forceful instant, his 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. He was flown directly to U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA), Da Nang for emergency medical treatment. The heartfelt gratitude and admiration Jim holds for the skilled professionals of our Medical Service Corps in preserving his life remains everlasting. Several days later he was flown to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, where he awoke from my comatose state. As Jim opened his eyes, his first thought was one of thanksgiving; he was ALIVE. Although he was confused, he 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 in a soft hospital bed with clean white sheets. His left arm was gone, and his legs were encased in hard plaster. Insistently, he asked questions in a dire attempt to find out the status of his men, and what had actually happened to him. No one really knew. How could they? They came from two different worlds. At first Jim was told that he was the only survivor. Then he was told that out of the seventeen Marines aboard the transport chopper, five were killed and twelve were seriously wounded. Then again he was told that out of the seventeen Marines aboard the transport chopper, all were killed except for two and that almost all of his fellow Marines who died that fateful day were burnt beyond recognition. Painstakingly he 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 he had contracted a staph infection that was causing hideous pustules to break out all over his body. Jim was cut down without reprisal and this infuriated him to no end. The most significant undertaking of his life had been cut short and taken away from him. His job, one that meant more to him than anything, was now over. Realizing this, and that there was nothing he could do to alter the aimless course of the war evoked deep feelings of anger, frustration, and depression within him. He was overwhelmed with thoughts of Vietnam and of how much he wanted to go back. Jim felt so damn distressfully helpless and useless. Yet as he thought of the immense human sacrifice given in suffering and in death by Honorable and Brave Patriotic American men and women, in upholding the undeniable principles for which we stand and defending the unalienable rights to which all people are endowed by their Creator, he was filled with a profound sense of pride and consolation. For he served his country with honor and his reward was immensely gratifying. He was now among that elite and distinguished group of Patriotic Americans who served their country with honor. It was that distinction of serving with honor that gave Jim a source of inner strength to deal with the anguish and pain, then and always, because honor is what it's all about. There is nothing more important than honor - It is everything. Adversely, he thought of the deplorable lack of honor on the part of our governmental leaders in successfully and expeditiously ending the war. A true miscarriage of trust was being perpetrated by the very American leadership he trusted in. His beloved and virtuous country was being disgraced and humiliated by a disloyal, dishonorable, self-serving, self-important and self-righteous group of power brokers and he was filled with a profound sense of disillusionment and betrayal - conflict and indignation. His country nor he would never be the same.

A week later, Jim was flown to Walson Army Hospital, Fort Dix, New Jersey. It was here that he received a most welcomed and compassionate visit from his father, mother and sister. A couple of weeks later, he was transported to U.S. Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he spent four months recuperating, and proficiently well trained in the use of an artificial arm. Finally, he was transferred to Veterans Hospital, East Orange, New Jersey where he spent two long depressing months and where he came close to a nervous breakdown. But for the grace of God, he maintained and carried on. Back in Nam, Jim friend and fellow Marine, Denny Leary, had yet to finish his tour of duty. In the meantime, Denny had written home to his family in Collingswood, New Jersey and told them about Jim. Thoughtfully, he asked them to visit Jim at the naval hospital and to give him the royal treatment. He will never be able to express in words how thankful he is for their kindness and generosity. Jim did not know Denny before Nam, but here they were thousands of miles from home, brought together by chance. They were serving their country in what they thought was a justified war; only to discover that it was one of deceit and dishonesty from the very start. [“The Incident”, that brought America into the self-destructive and regrettable Vietnam War - was a lie. In August of 1964 the American people and Congress were led to believe that two U.S. destroyers, U.S. Maddox and U.S. Turner Joy, without provocation, were deliberately and aggressively attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. This occurrence was a complete fabrication orchestrated by the egomaniacal President Johnson and his inner circle of collaborators to achieve their ultimate political ambition - Wage War. And thus the stage was set for a dishonorable leadership to wage a dishonorable war. And Honorable America and her Honorable and Brave Patriotic American Servicemen and women were forced into a war that should have never been.] Although it was for just a brief moment in their lives, Jim and Denny developed a friendship. And it was a friendship that was something truly special and much appreciated, having to put their lives on the line in a war with no clear cut or resolute direction. It was a good and reassuring feeling to know Jim had a friend in that foreign land, in that ill-conceived and outrageous war, that he could believe and trust-in. Their brotherhood brought a sense of stability to a no other than unstable situation. He would, and only could pray for Denny’s safe return. But once again, fate would not comply. It was April 27, 1969. Jim was at the Veterans Hospital when he received the shocking and distressing news. Denny had been killed. He had gone to the ammo bunker for supplies when unbeknownst to him a booby trap had been set by the enemy. As Denny reached for a hand grenade, it instantaneously blew-up. His friend was dead. Denny’s precious life, one more precious life - wasted. Jim was numb. He felt as if life itself had been drained from him. He thought of the possibility that he could have saved Denny’s life. Again, he felt so damn distressfully helpless and useless; only intensifying his deep feelings of anger, frustration, and depression. There were so many, too many Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans suffering and dying. There were so many, too many loving American hearts broken and wrenched with pain. When will it end? Will it ever end?

Because of the injuries Jim sustained in combat, on May 15, 1969 while still a patient at the Veterans Hospital in East Orange, New Jersey he was retired from the United States Navy. The greatest challenge of his life had just begun. For many hours and for many days and weeks he would sit in church unfeeling yet searching. He tried to find myself. He tried to understand the meaning of life. He sought a meaningful purpose for living, and he prayed. He worked as a volunteer at veteran’s hospitals, caring for his fellow veterans. He worked as a volunteer at mental facilities, caring for people with Down's syndrome. And he worked as a volunteer in Hospice, caring for people who were dying. He studied voice with four vocal teachers in New York City and New Jersey in pursuit of a singing career. He studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City in pursuit of an acting career. He studied psychology at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey and Hotel/Restaurant Management at Fairleigh-Dickinson University in Rutherford, New Jersey. Like a pendulum, he went back and forth from a singing and acting career to college and a degree. Years went by. Helplessly, he tried to find himself, and he prayed. The anger and frustration was unrelenting; it would not let go. Jim was angry at those responsible for the criminal atrocity of the Vietnam War, and he was frustrated by the fact that those responsible were not made accountable and brought to justice. It was a perfect abuse of power. It was a perfect miscarriage of trust. It is beyond his human comprehension how nothing was done to stop the demented process, the unconscionable senselessness of so many American lives lost, of so many innocent lives lost, of so many American bodies wrought with pain, and of so many American hearts anguished - bleeding. Amid all the leadership of his great country, not one American leader had the strength of character to stand up, formidably and uncompromisingly, in defense of America's honor, and demand an end be put to the sacrificial human offerings of so many Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans. This American legacy of dishonor is etched in time forever. Our great American heritage was desecrated. Our American spirit was devitalized and demoralized. It was the purest and truest paradox:: America’s cause was honorable / but America’s leadership was not. Within Jim existed his own personal Vietnam. It was a never-ending war; a constant battle between the ultimate opposing forces of good versus evil. On the one side of Jim was the man who faithfully believed in his Creator and in his Country - a man of love and peace. On the other side of him was the man who experienced first hand the horror of war, the absolute detestation and destruction of humanity. And this was compounded by the tormenting realization that the massive suffering and death of so many Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans was simply looked upon as expedient and expendable in the eyes of the incompetent and morally deficient power mongers in control. This evoked in him dreadful feelings of infuriation and abhorrence, hopelessness and degradation. The love he held so dearly for his Creator and his Country was being challenged like never before. He continued to pray. He prayed earnestly and faithfully that he would find himself and that he would be given a meaningful purpose to fulfill in his life. Although it took many years of waiting and searching / of hoping and praying - the inspirational realization came. His prayers were answered.

Petty Officer Cava gave his all then and continues to do so today. In accordance with his faithful and everlasting love for his Creator, his earnest and steadfast love for his Country, his sincere and enduring love for Our Children to safeguard them from that which is harmful and anti-American and his loyal and unending respect for Our Honorable and Brave Patriotic Americans who have served and who are serving Our Country he established: “OPERATION RED, WHITE AND BLUE.”

The purpose of this non-profit undertaking 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. Jim achieves his worthwhile mission through the introduction of inspirational and motivational Patriotic Programs for Our Children together with an inspirational and motivational Patriotic Ceremony for adults - respectfully and rightfully titled:

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

Everyday Petty Officer Cava kneels before his Creator giving Praise, Glory and Thanksgiving: For Saving his Life / For his Meaningful Purpose / For his Many Blessings / And For another Day of Life. To date, Petty Officer Jim Cava has proudly given 2,750 Patriotic Presentations including: Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Veterans Hospitals and Homes, Nursing Homes, Retirement Villages, Veterans Organizations, Civic Clubs and Organizations - FOR GOD AND COUNTRY ~ James Daniel

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The following Inspirational and Motivational Patriotic Programs and Patriotic Ceremony are available upon request at no-charge:

¶ Kindergarten to Second Grade Program ¶

(Thirty minutes)

¶ Third to Fifth Grade Program ¶

(Thirty-five minutes)

¶ Sixth to Eighth Grade Program ¶

(Forty minutes)

¶ Ninth to Twelfth Grade Program ¶

(Forty-five minutes)

¶ Patriotic Ceremony ¶

(Sixty minutes)

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