LTG Dick Chilcoat

(Recognition of Dignitaries)

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Union Episcopal Church and this memorial service and military honors for James Peter Mozden … friend, family member, classmate, and soldier. My name is Dick Chilcoat … I’m an Army officer … also, I was a friend and West Point classmate of Jim Mozden. Later in this service, it’s my privilege to tell you about Jim’s military service … a story about which we all can be proud.

At the moment, it’s my pleasure to recognize our dignitaries and some special people attending this memorial service today:

First, several close family members are here to include: Mrs. Mary Jo (Mozden) Saint Peter; Jim’s brother, Mr. Stanley Mozden; and his two sisters, Kathleen and Patricia. Mary Jo and Stan will speak about "remembrances by family" during our service.

We also have for the Mozden family a letter from U.S. Senator Judd Gregg which expresses his sincere thoughts on this day.

Next, a U.S. Representative from the 2^nd District of New Hampshire, Mr. Charles Bass. Mr. Bass is the grandson of former New Hampshire governor, Robert Bass, and son of Perkins Bass, a former New Hampshire Congressman who appointed Jim Mozden to West Point. Mr. John Sununu, First District of New Hampshire, also sent a letter for the Mozden family which honors Jim Mozden.

We have a number of state and local officials here to include: state senator George Disnard, who is representing Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, and, in attendance, Mr. Robert Porter, City Manager, and members of the Claremont City Council. A special thanks to all of you for attending, to include those many officials I did not mention by name.

Father Stanley Piwowar from St. Joseph’s Church is here and will participate in the service.

John Williams, a friend and high school classmate, is here, representing all Jim’s classmates from Stevens High School, and will speak later. Members of the Stevens High School Alumni Association are here.

A number of Jim’s West Point classmates are here; Mike Hartley, Nick Nichols, and I represent the entire USMA Class of ’64, and we’ll speak later, as well.

Military honors will be rendered after the service, at graveside by soldiers of 2-14 Infantry, 10^th Mountain Division, and led by Major Lucke.

Needless to say, there are numerous friends here of the Mozden family.

Many people helped bring this tribute for Jim Mozden to fruition … we’ll explain how it came to materialize during the course of this service … but, a special thanks has to go to Mrs. Carol Grant, who worked tirelessly … using cyberspace-technology (i.e., email and the internet)… to coordinate all of our efforts. Bob Magruder, another Academy classmate, was instrumental in making arrangements as well. Thank you sincerely, for all of us.

Finally, thank all of you who are here today. I was one of many who, fighting the notorious New Hampshire "Blizzard of 1973," arrived late that stormy day, 29 January 1973, to Jim Mozden’s funeral. For me, a normal three hour trip from Boston turned into a nine-hour winter-storm driving nightmare. That’s now behind us. Today, we’re here, to remember Jim, celebrate his memories, render proper military honors, and achieve closure on some unfinished business – and all the while, never forgetting -- a very special person, James Peter Mozden.

(Jim as an Army Officer)

You’ve heard about Jim as a young man, as a student at Stevens High School, as a candidate for appointment to West Point, and, now, as a cadet and infantry. I’d like to tell you, briefly, the story of Jim Mozden as an Army officer officer … it’s the story of who stood underneath that soldier’s helmet, who carried that M-16 rifle, who wore those dogtags, and who filled those boots. It’s a personal history, derived from Officer Evaluation Reports, letters, and other records, held in the National Personnel Records Center, the repository of Military Personnel Records, St. Louis, Missouri, a place where tens of thousands of records reside; and for most, they remain untold stories that chronicle the achievements of past American military heroes. Jim was one of those heroes.

Jim, undoubtedly, went to West Point for many reasons, but when he graduated, in June 1964, he chose to be an infantry officer for only one reason: because he wanted to be at the Army’s leading edge, its combat arms. He went to airborne school and ranger school as part of his preparation … and his first duty station was at Ft Carson, Colorado, with the 11^th Infantry, were he was a platoon leader and company executive officer. Nick and Mike have highlighted some of those experiences for you.

Early in 1966, Jim went to Vietnam, on his first tour of duty there, where he was assigned to the 503 Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate) as a platoon leader. A review of his exemplary efficiency reports during his time as a rifle platoon leader reveals an extraordinary combat leader: one report said: "LT Mozden’s leadership, personal bravery and courage on the battlefield is unquestionable … he took the weakest platoon in the company and turned it into one of the strongest in the battalion. He commands great respect from his men and the rest of the company. He is intelligent, affable, engaging, straight-forward, well-liked and respected by contemporaries and subordinates alike. LT Mozden is devoted to the Army and shows great potential for continued outstanding service." During this first tour, he was wounded, received the Purple Heart, and was twice decorated for valor. Tucker Dooley, another Academy classmate, indicates during this time that he and Jim made two parachute jumps together in Vietnam, and Jim made one combat jump, the only U.S. parachute combat operation in the 10-year war, a very unique experience for any member of our class. Jim also served as a company and brigade staff officer during this tour.

He returned to Fort Benning in the summer of 1967 for duty as a project officer at the U.S. Army Infantry School. He did great work there as a writer and developer of military doctrine and organization. One senior rater wrote, "Captain Mozden is one of the most outstanding officers in his grade that I have ever seen. His attitude and actions have served as a notable example and inspiration to all junior officers within his sphere of influence."

In mid-1969, he returned to Vietnam for his second tour of duty. He was assigned to the 1^st Cavalry Division (AM) as a division staff officer. Again, his combat performance was outstanding; and, his rater wrote, "as a direct result of his performance of duty, he was selected to command one of the companies of the division in combat." Later, his battalion commander would write, "CPT Mozden is one of the most outstanding Company Commanders I have known." During this tour, he served also as a battalion staff officer. But all was not well. He had survived the dangers of close combat, but it seems clear that another foe was lurking in the shadows … one that medical science was slow to identify and unable to deny.

Jim’s mother, Cecelia Mozden, wrote years later, that Jim returned home from this tour (and I quote) "a changed man and we felt something was wrong, but Jim never said anything." (unquote). Only later, when it was clearly evident, did he reveal that he was seriously ill. Jim was not one to burden others with the gravity of either his wartime experiences in Vietnam or the decline of his personal health.

In 1970, he returned to Fort Benning and the Infantry School, again to work as a project officer, and, later, to study as a student at the Infantry Officer Advanced Course. During this year, in 1971, Jim spent several months in the hospital at Fort Benning, fighting off, temporarily, his dreaded illness.

Early in 1972, he was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, as a training officer at installation and division level. His records show that he was doing good work, but, his illness returned and, late that year, he left Fort Lewis, returning to Chelsea Naval Hospital, closer to home, to fight the battle he could not win. He passed away on 25 January 1973.

Jim Mozden was special to all who knew him, but he was very special to the West Point Class of 1964. He was a man who "made history" in his own time … not on the pages of history books (such as MacArthur, Eisenhower, or others) … no, Jim’s history was made in the hearts and minds of those who knew him, whose lives and souls he touched deeply, and, thus, who would remember him forever. That’s "making history"… we’re part of that story … that’s why we’re here today.

There can be no greater tribute paid to man. "Well done [Jim], be thou at peace."

(Presentation of Plaque)

It’s now my privilege, on behalf of the United States Military Academy Class of 1964 to present a Memorial Plaque which honors Captain James P. "Moose" Mozden. I would ask that the Mozden family members come forward to help me unveil it (we would like to get a photo of that) … and then I would ask that the Stevens High School Alumni Association Board and Committee Members please come forward to receive the plaque (and we would like to get a photo of the entire group as well). Thank you.

The plaque will be displayed at Stevens High School … we are very grateful that you, the Alumni Association & Committee members, would honor Jim by doing so.