MULLIGAN, JAMES ALFRED
Name: James Alfred Mulligan
Rank/Branch: O5/United States Navy, pilot
Unit: VA 36
Date of Birth: 27 March 1926
Home City of Record: Lawrence MA
Date of Loss: 20 March 1966
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 182800 North 105000 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A4C
Missions: 80+
Other Personnel in Incident: none
Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews.
REMARKS: 730212 RELEASED BY DRV
SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977
Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor
P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and
spelling errors).
UPDATE - 02/97 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO with information provided
by Capt. Mulligan.
JAMES A. MULLIGAN JR.
Captain - United States Navy
Shot Down: March 20, 1966
Released: February 12, 1973
Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts 27 March 1926. Joined the Navy 9 February
1944 as part of the V-5 program. Received my wings in August 1947. Married
Louise M. Kolce in October 1948 and we have six sons and live in Virginia
Beach, Virginia. I was Executive Officer of VA-36 on board USS Enterprise
and scheduled to become Commanding Officer on 1 April 1966 but I was shot
down near Vinh in North Vietnam on 20 March 1966. I had flown more than 80
missions over North Vietnam when my A4 was shot down. I was injured on
ejection, receiving a broken shoulder and cracked ribs.
My prison itinerary was as follows: Hanoi Hilton (Heartbreak Hotel and New
Guy Village) from 27 March to 23 April 1966; the Zoo from 23 April 1966 to
26 January 1967; Las Vegas from 26 January 1967 to 25 October 1967; Alcatraz
from 25 October 1967 to 9 December 1969; Las Vegas from 9 December 1969 to
25 December 1970; Camp Unity (or "No OK Corral") 25 December 1970 to 12
February 1973. I was in solitary confinement for 42 3/4 months. I spent
more than 30 month sin leg irons.
I was the senior oficer on the 3rd plane out of Hanoi in the first release
on February 12, 1973. I was lucky enough to be the 1st POW cleared for
release from Clark Air Force Base to the States on February 14, 1973. I was
awarded 2 Silver Stars, 8 Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and 2
Purple Hearts, as well as the POW medal.
After captivity I earned my MBA degree in Public Administration. In 1975
after 31 1/2 years of service, I retired from the United States Navy as a
Captain. I have since retired from the position as CEO of a large
wholesaler/distributor of marble, slate and granite.
James and his wife Louise have 6 sons, (Jim, Kevin, Terry, Mark, Sean and
Niel) and 17 grandchildren. James had a personal note on his update -- "I
share 6 POW grandchildren with Sam Johnson via his daughter Gini and my son
Jim." He and his wife reside in Virginia.
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