Glen Cove paid tribute to one of its own on Veterans Day, honoring the remarkable life and service of Thomas McMahon, a veteran of the Vietnam War.
“Today we gather as a community to honor the courage and sacrifice and unbreakable spirit of our veterans, those who have worn the uniform of this great nation and served with honor,” Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said at the Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony. “This year’s Veterans Day honoree is a man who exemplifies courage, patriotism and dedication.”
McMahon, 76, a lifelong Glen Cove resident, served in the Army, including a tour with an elite long-range reconnaissance patrol in Vietnam. His life and experiences highlight the sacrifices made by service members and the profound impact they have on their communities long after they leave the military.
Born in Glen Cove on May 29, 1948, McMahon grew up on East Avenue and attended North Shore High School, where he felt a strong calling to serve. “If you looked at my yearbook, it says, ‘Going in the Army,’” he recounted. Growing up surrounded by World War II veterans in his family, he was inspired by their stories, and felt a duty to follow in their footsteps.
Though the Vietnam War was highly controversial, McMahon was resolute. “I didn’t want to miss out on a war that was going on …,” he said. “I wanted in.”
He went through basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he quickly advanced from private E-1 to E-2. His training continued at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where his skills and determination caught the attention of his superiors.
McMahon opted to serve as an enlisted soldier, drawn to the direct, hands-on role of an infantryman. The decision would eventually lead him to South Korea with the Seventh Infantry Division, where he underwent counter-guerilla-warfare training and studied at the Army Education Center, earning 30 semester hours of college credit. Yet as he explained, “Korea was OK, but there was nothing really going on like I wanted.”
Driven by a sense of purpose, McMahon volunteered for duty in Vietnam. There he joined a long-range reconnaissance patrol, a five-man team that was sent on dangerous missions to track and monitor enemy activity behind enemy lines. The LRRP’s work was risky, demanding constant vigilance and frequent isolation. “We were in their backyard all the time…,” he said, describing the perils of his service.
The role of LRRPs evolved from observation to direct engagement, transforming McMahon and his fellow soldiers into frontline soldiers. That shift, however, came at a cost. “That’s when we started losing guys,” he said solemnly. His 14 months in Vietnam were marked by both camaraderie and loss.
After he came home, McMahon attempted to shift into civilian life. He enrolled in nursing studies at Pace College, but his heart wasn’t in it. He eventually found a career in construction, which he found fulfilling and which allowed him to provide for his family, including his wife, Maureen, whom he had met serendipitously in Glen Cove just before Thanksgiving 1967.
As it happened, Maureen also had a connection to Vietnam, having worked as a flight attendant on missions transporting soldiers in and out of conflict zones. Their shared experience in the war became the foundation of a strong marriage, which produced two children, Dennis and Sarah.
Among those who served with McMahon was his close friend Robert Paul Elsner, a patrol leader whom McMahon described as a talented warrior but something of a rule-breaker in camp. Elsner’s death from lung cancer 15 years ago deeply affected McMahon, who now carries his friend’s ashes as a tribute to their shared experiences. “If it wasn’t for him,” McMahon said, “I wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t have the grandchildren that I have.”
Looking back on his military experience, McMahon has become an advocate for service, especially for young people who may be struggling to find their way. “I think everyone should serve in some capacity,” he said. He encourages young people to embrace the opportunities and personal growth that service — military or civilian — can offer. “It’s very important to live amongst people from other cultures,” he said.
