Humboldt County Man, World War II Veteran and POW, Honored Today as Veteran of the Year
Assemblymember Jim Wood who representing our District posted today on his Facebook page that McMahon served “on the Eastern Front as a B-17 tail gunner.”
“Shot down over France, he was captured and spent more than 3 years as a POW,” Wood posted. “He earned more than a dozen prestigious medals, including the Purple Heart.”
When McMahon came back to the states, Wood said, “he worked as a firefighter and teacher, later earning a law degree.” He has nine children including his daughter, Annette, who is married to former Humboldt County Sheriff, Mike Downey.
In 2014, the Redwood Times posted a story on McMahon’s life. It includes details about when his plane was shot down. The article relates,
He bailed out of the tail section near the French-Belgian border and parachuted down to a field, landing so hard that at first he couldn’t move. A 12-year old French boy who had seen him come down used hand signals to urge McMahon to get up, then helped him get to a nearby chicken coop, where McMahon spent his first night in hiding.
To read the rest of the story, click here.
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Congrats. He is the youngest looking 92 year old I have ever seen. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Annette is still a hottie ! And thank you for your service sir
Congratulations sir. What an amazing man, story and life.
Super stud! Don’t make em like they used to! Looks more like 55
I tip my hat sir. And say thank you.
Thomas,Thank you for being you
They don’t make them like they used to, thank you sir!
Tom McMahon is a total badass . Glad he lives out here .
Such a hero. Thank you for helping protect our country. God Bless…
The toughest generation!
Tom,92 years, you are holding up real good, keep doing the same for another 8 years, and they will put your profile with picture in the local paper, bravo, I found out you love Jesus too. truly yours, Bill
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Thank you sir for what you have done for our country. You have beyond earned this prestigious award for everything that you have been through and contributed.
Tom is a wonderful man! I have had the fortune of meeting, along with George Mullins, another WWll vet who is local to So hum! It is an honor to know these men!
Wow that story is amazing! He is one awesome dude! That could be a movie.
I don’t think I’d survive a dream like that