Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Augustine
O’Gorman
January 22, 1906

–

April 30, 1986

Born:

Ballinamore

, 

Ireland

Home:

San Diego

, 

California

Buried: 

Culver City

, 

California

Cemetery:

Holy Cross Cemetery

Ordained a Catholic priest in his native Ireland on June 30, 1930, Rev. Monsignor James Augustine O’Gorman came to America in September of 1930, and served two tours of duty as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, from 1942 to 1951, during World War II and the Korean Conflict. In 1957, he became pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, CA, and he served there for 21 years. The present church of St. James parish on Pacific Coast Highway was built during his time as pastor in 1961. He was then named pastor of Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Lompoc, CA, serving there from 1977 to 1980. He then retired, and after 56 years of service as a priest, he died in 1986 at age 80.

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 1945
    Headquarters, Army Air Forces, General Orders No. 41 (Dcember 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Chaplain’s Corps) James Augustine O’Gorman (ASN: 0-5468069), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with the 15th Air Force, while serving at Tinker Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in February 1945. When a B-29 type aircraft crashed and burned at Tinker Field, six members of the crew wee trapped in the blazing wreckage. Despite the imminent danger of explosion and in the face of almost certain death, Chaplain O’Gorman entered the burning aircraft and together with other personnel, heroically assisted in the successful rescue of the trapped crew. By his splendid and courageous personal example, together with his intense devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, Chaplain O’Gorman has upheld the highest traditions of the military service, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.