On Friday, October 1st, Iona Prep received a visit from the family of John Lance Geoghegan ’59. After graduating from the Prep, John entered Pennsylvania Military Academy and later fought in the Vietnam War, where he was killed in battle. John’s life was depicted in the book, We Were Soldiers Once…and Young. John’s wife, Barbara and daughter, Cammie toured Iona Prep and visited the class of history department chair, Mr. Frank Conroy ’75. Barbara and Cammie, who live in Virginia, returned to the area because John was being inducted into the Pelham Hall of Honor. Mr. Conroy attended the ceremony and spoke on behalf of Iona Prep.
Wikipedia: Born in Pelham, New York, Geoghegan was the only son of John J. and Camille D. Geoghegan. He married Barbara Weathers Geoghegan on June 13, 1964, and their daughter, Camille Ann Geoghegan, was born on June 8, 1965.
Following training, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry. On August 18, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he was killed during the Battle of Ia Drang while tending to wounded fellow soldier, Willie Godboldt. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Air Medal.
Jack Geoghegan was portrayed by Chris Klein in the 2002 film We Were Soldiers.
