I recevied the following biography from the McCaughan Family this morning, and I can only state it's worth sharing to the PGR, the Nation and all of those that believe in Freedom. 

With Respect,

Woody Wagner
Call Sign – RustPicker
Combat Vets Motorcycle Association (FM #880)
Sr. Ride Captain of  District 5/Hampton Rds - Virginia Asst. State Captain
Patriot Guard Riders (USA) (#1835 12/12/2005)
Blue Star Dad/Parent (3rd time) of
Spc Justin Wagner, USA (UH60 Crew Chief, A Co. 4/3 CAB, 3rd I.D.)
Virginia Beach, VA USA
Blue, Green & Brown Water Navy(s) (Retired)

Biography on an American Warrior, Patriot, Pioneer and Hero;
MSgt David W. McCaughan, USAR (Ret), 53


Born April 27^th 1955 in Darby, Pennsylvania, Master Sergeant David W. McCaughan was the eldest son of David Charles and Lura Belle McCaughan. In his youth he was very involved with the Civil Air Patrol and was a recipient of their Billy Mitchell Award. Dave graduated from Sharon Hill High School with the class of 1973; enlisting in the Army prior to his graduation under a delayed entry program.

In that same year he completed both Basic and Advanced Infantry Training, and immediately volunteered for Airborne training. Upon earning his jump wings, Dave volunteered for service with the US Army Rangers.  After receiving his much coveted Ranger tab, he was assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment, in Fort Stewart, Ga. There he continued to excel, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and attained the position of Squad Leader. It was with the 1st Ranger Battalion that Dave earned his Master Parachutist wings and became Military Freefall and Jumpmaster qualified. While assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion he trained in Alaska, Panama, and Germany on various occasions.

While at home on leave, Dave was introduced to his wife of 32 years, Diane H. Fraser. They were married on November 27^th, 1976. After leaving active duty on June 24^th 1977, he immediately joined C Company, 1^st Battalion, 11^th Special Forces group in the Army Reserves where he served as both a Weapons and Intelligence Sergeant with SFODA-132 until his transfer in March 1985.

He attended and completed the reserve component SF qualification course from 1977 to 1980 and completed several correspondence courses as 91A Aidman, Infantry advanced NCO course, among several others.  During this period he also became active in civilian sky diving and acquired USPA ratings A-D, static line jumpmaster and instructor, Ram air rigger examiners rating, and FAA master parachute rigger ratings for both chest and back parachutes.

David secured civilian work as a rigger and instructor for Ripcord Para Center Inc.  Following his time at Ripcord he came to be employed by Para-flite Inc. as head of quality control and head of the repair department. As the frequency of military business with the company increased he served as liaison between his company and the various units as they approached and served as a trainer to many military riggers on the maintenance, inspection, and packing ram air parachutes as well as a technical representative in consort with the Army Airborne board as well as various SOCOM and JSOC organizations. As his expertise in the field became strongly evident, he was recruited to a position as an Air Operations Equipment Specialist with Naval Special Warfare & Development Group in December 1984 and has since received numerous commendations on both operational and equipment based work. David’s responsibilities included those of being a research and development testing and evaluation Command member and providing instruction in both tandem and accelerated free fall. MSG McCaughan is considered to be the Grandfather of Naval Special Warfare Parachute loft and has been labeled as the man that put this command at the forefront of Naval Special Warfare Air Operations.

He has served as a Military Freefall Jump Master, Accelerated Freefall Jump Master, and has earned both his gold and diamond jump wings and 12 hour freefall badge, and was a certified Vector & Strong tandem master. Additionally, he earned his master parachutist wings in Germany (at a senior level), Thailand, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the course of his career he had completed several thousand jumps and is widely regarded as an expert in the area. 

Soon after accepting the position with the Naval Special Warfare and Development Group he transferred to A. company, 2^nd Battalion, of the 11^th Special Forces group at Fort A.P. Hill and was assigned to SFODA-215 as a senior weapons Sergeant. While assigned to this detachment he completed Belgian Para-commando school in July 1987 followed by the SF operations and Intelligence Sgt course in February of 1988. That fall was assigned to SFODA-214 (which later became 1144A) as team Sergeant where he completed USAR advanced NCO course in January of 1990.

David passed away peacefully at 7:25 pm on Tuesday, June 10^th surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones. He is survived by his wife of nearly 32 years, Diane McCaughan, his children, Michael D. and Jennifer L. McCaughan, two brothers, and a variety of nieces, nephews, and other extended family. Dave greatly enjoyed being outdoors and some of his hobbies included rifle match shooting, gun-smithing, building a home on the land which he wished to retire upon. He was an avid student of military history, tactics, and weaponry; all of which he enjoyed discussing at length. He served as a good husband and a wonderful father who wanted his children to get a good education.

All,

Having just checked out the weather report for today, I’m happy to report this mission will be conducted under sunny skies vice cloudy skies and possible rain. I’m still bringing my rain gear (If I don’t have it, you know I’ll need it), and I’d suggest you all do the same.  As always, I'm honored to be able to ride this escort mission for David and his family.

With Respect,

Woody Wagner
Call Sign – RustPicker
Combat Vets Motorcycle Association (FM #880)

Sr. Ride Captain of the District 5 / Hampton Rds - Virginia Asst. State Captain
Patriot Guard Riders (USA) (#1835 12/12/2005)

Blue Star Dad/Parent (3rd time) of

Spc Justin Wagner, USA (UH60 Crew Chief, A Co. 4/3 CAB, 3rd I.D.)

Virginia Beach, VA USA
Blue, Green & Brown Water Navy(s) (Retired)

·         You Don’t Stop Riding Because You Get Old…

·         You Get Old Because You Stop Ridin’!

I offer my most sincere prayers and extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Retired US Army Reserve MSgt. David W. McCaughan.  I pray that the Lord Jesus is there with you to hold you and to give you His Peace and Comfort during this most difficult of times.