NO. 17981 • 28 Dec 1928 – 21 Jun 2003
Died in Dallas, TX
Interred in Restland Cemetery, Dallas, TX
Melville John Lougheed, known as "Jack,” was born in Jamestown, ND, to Melville John and Johanna Middelman Lougheed. Jack's mother was from the Netherlands, having immigrated to the United States with her mother, four sisters, and two brothers. They had come to North Dakota to take advantage of land offered by the state government. Jack's father met Johanna in Jamestown, and that is where they were married. On the occasion of Jack's birth, a relative remarked how proud they were to have a son born in the United States.
Jack lived in Jamestown and attended the public schools there until 14 Jun 1945, when he enlisted in the Army Specialized Training Program and reported for duty at South Dakota State College. He subsequently sought and received an appointment to West Point from Senator Milton Young. In December of 1945, Jack was called to active duty and ordered to report to Ft. Snelling, MN. Afterwards, he spent several months at Amherst College, Amherst, MA, attending the Academy preparatory training conducted there. In March 1946 he reported for duty at Ft. Benning, GA, but was discharged from the Army on 25 Jun 1946, just prior to reporting as a new cadet at West Point on 1 Jul 1946 as a member of the Class of 1950.
Jack,s familiarity with the military helped him take cadet life in stride. A true son of the West, he was known to his classmates as someone who was always ready to extol the virtues of North Dakota and his hometown of Jamestown. His fellow cadets also regarded him as a level headed and self assured cadet who would go on to make a fine officer. During his cadet years, Jack earned the Expert Rifleman Badge and participated in the Camera Club and Model Railroad Club activities which reflected his boyhood experiences on the prairie.
At graduation, Jack was commissioned in the Infantry, and his first duty station was at Ft. Ord, CA. In 1952, he was sent to Korea, where he served with the 15th Infantry and the 19th Infantry of the Eighth Army. In Korea, Jack braved enemy fire while leading a platoon in an attempt to recover the bodies of two fallen comrades. As his platoon approached the bodies, small arms fire was concentrated on them. Exposing himself to this fire, Jack led an assault against the entrenched enemy force. Only when their ammunition was exhausted did he give the order to fall back. For these actions, he received the Silver Star, and as the citation that accompanied the medal reads, "he supervised this move with such calmness and confidence that he effected an orderly withdrawal through heavy artillery and mortar fire with a minimum of casualties.' For his outstanding combat service in the Korean War, Jack was awarded not only the Silver Star, but also the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Jack's assignments after Korea included service in Japan; Camp Atterbury IN; and Camp Carson, CO. In January 1954, Jack married his first wife, Clara M. Van Arsdall, at Camp Atterbury. Three sons and a daughter were born to Clara and Jack before their marriage eventually ended in divorce. In July of 1954, after serving as a company commander with the 24th Infantry Division, 21st Regiment, in Honshu, Japan, Jack resigned his commission as a first lieutenant.
During his civilian career, Jack held several positions with industry, including one with managerial responsibilities with the St. Regis Corporation in 1967. Subsequently, in 1972, he accepted a position in Dallas, TX, with the United States Government in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. For HUD, Jack specialized in home inspections and home appraisals. He retired from this career in 1991.
In 1975, Jack married his second wife, Dorothy Mebane Earle. Following his retirement, they enjoyed a lifestyle in which travel played a large part. They took several trips overseas and many trips stateside, visiting New England and other places, including a visit to Jack's hometown of Jamestown to celebrate its centennial. Their global travels included visits to China (where they walked the Great Wall), Germany, Italy, Scotland, and France. His children, all of whom lived close to Jack and Dorothy, also helped make their life in retirement even more enjoyable.
The regard Jack had for his West Point classmates was clearly evidenced in his submissions to the Class of '50 10 Year Book. These entries stressed that he and Dorothy would gladly welcome any classmates to stop and visit with the Lougheeds in Dallas. Unfortunately, this idyllic existence came to an end in 2003. As a result of heart failure, death came for Jack on 21 Jun 2003. Dorothy passed away about a year later.
Jack is survived by three sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He will be remembered as a wonderful and loving parent, grandparent, and great grandparent who, as a loyal son of West Point, also served his country well in time of war.