Comerford McLoughlin
Early Life
Comerford McLoughlin was born on February 20, 1891, in New York City, New York, the son of James Gregory McLoughlin and Cornelia Cole McLoughlin. He spent part of his early life in Westchester County, residing in Mamaroneck in 1900 and later in Rye, New York, by 1905, before returning to New York City by 1910. His upbringing reflects the movement between suburban Westchester communities and Manhattan that was common among families of his background in the early twentieth century.
He came from a small family that included one brother and one sister, and his early adult years were marked by both professional development and early military involvement prior to the United States’ entry into World War I.
World War I Service
McLoughlin entered military service prior to American involvement in the war and was later drafted into federal service on August 5, 1917, as a Second Lieutenant in the infantry from the National Guard. He was subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant on April 10, 1918, and to Captain on November 23, 1918, reflecting rapid advancement during wartime.
He served with the 369th Infantry Regiment, part of the 93rd Division of the American Expeditionary Forces, a unit that served with distinction on the Western Front under French command.
He trained at major military installations including Camp Dix in New Jersey, Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina, and Camp Merritt in New Jersey, all key staging and training centers for American forces deploying overseas.
McLoughlin served overseas from December 3, 1917, to February 9, 1919, participating in major campaigns including Champagne, the Aisne-Marne Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, all critical operations during the final phases of World War I.
On September 26, 1918, near Ripont, France, while serving as a First Lieutenant, he displayed extraordinary heroism during an assault on enemy positions. Under intense machine-gun and artillery fire, he voluntarily exposed himself to danger, traversed difficult terrain, and rescued his wounded battalion commander, adjutant, and several enlisted men, personally carrying them to a dressing station and thereby saving their lives.
For this action, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, one of the United States Army’s highest decorations for valor. He also received the French Croix de Guerre with bronze star in recognition of his bravery while serving alongside Allied forces. He sustained no recorded wounds in action.
He was honorably discharged on March 1, 1919, following his return from overseas service.
Life After Service
Following his military service, McLoughlin returned to civilian life and resided in New York City, where he worked as an office manager. His postwar life included periods of residence in both New York and San Antonio, Texas, reflecting mobility common among professionals during the interwar years.
He was married to Catharine McLoughlin, and although no children are identified in available records, he maintained family connections and continued his professional career until his death.
Comerford McLoughlin died on August 20, 1945, in New York City at the age of 54. He was cremated at Ferncliff Crematory on August 24, 1945.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Catharine McLoughlin; and additional family members are not fully identified in available records.