RRC’s Flag Day Event to Honor PFC McGonigal on June 14

By Rockaway Republican Club

On Flag Day, Saturday, June 14, the Rockaway Republican Club (RRC) will honor Private First Class John McGonigal Jr., a Belle Harbor native who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country during the Vietnam War. The event will take place at Callie’s Restaurant on Beach 129th Street from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“The Rockaway Republican Club will proudly celebrate the spirit of America and honor the memory of our local hero, PFC John P. McGonigal,” RRC President Mary Glynn said. “Let us celebrate our nation and never forget the brave souls who gave everything to protect it and our freedom.”

In 2024, Callie’s and the RRC dedicated a plaque at the restaurant’s flagpole to another local hero, Lance Corporal Michael Glover. This year, a plaque for PFC McGonigal will be added to the memorial. Callie’s owner, Tom Callaghan, partnered with RRC board member Colonel Tom Sullivan (ret.) to plan the event.

Tickets will cost $50 per person. Tickets will be $10 each for children 10 years old and younger. The ticket will include a meal from the Callie’s menu, open bar, and live music by The Rockawades. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://is.gd/A452Zs or by Venmoing the fee to @RockawayRepublicanClub.

Doors open at 5 p.m. The memorial ceremony will take place at approximately 7 p.m. RRC will ask a priest from St. Francis de Sales to say the blessing. McGonigal was an SFDS alumnus.

McGonigal was born in 1947. He enlisted in the United States Army and began his tour in November 1967. John was a member of the 194th MP Company, 1st Signal Brigade. On May 13, 1968, a U.S. military communications relay facility on the 3000-foot summit of Nui Ba Den in Tay Ninh Province was attacked by a large Viet Cong contingent. At 10 p.m., the attacking force was successful in breaching the perimeter of the mountaintop compound.

The enemy secured a helicopter pad as a Command Post and mortar location. A large group moved west up the hill behind a barrage laid down by the mortar crew on the helicopter pad. A smaller force continued along the south perimeter of the mountain, securing bunkers 11, 12, and 13. As each bunker was approached, the enemy threw hand grenades into the doorways. The personnel in each bunker manned their positions until they were forced to evacuate. All the buildings on the two-acre camp were destroyed.

By 2:30 a.m., the enemy had withdrawn but no medical evacuations of survivors were possible until morning due to rain, fog and gusting winds. PFC McGonigal and 21 other American soldiers were killed in the battle.

RRC is proud of our native son. It is grateful for the opportunity on Flag Day to honor the service and sacrifice of John, the McGonigal family, and every soldier, sailor, marine and airman who has stood a post beneath the American flag.