A Twenty Year China Marine: James McHugh

[Dirk]

There are a number of stand out Marine officers whose careers really took off due to their experiences in China. Such names as Samuel Griffin, Evans Carlson, Thomas Holcomb are well known….but add to that list James M. McHugh, a man who spent the bulk of his career in China, rising from a line officer, to becoming our governments direct interface with the top tiers of the Chinese Nationalist Government for a number of years alongside the American Ambassador to China Nelson Johnson.

 

McHugh graduated the Naval Academy in 1922, and following Basic School in Philadelphia, was sent to Peking. While there, he married the American Ambassadors daughter and through that connection, was able to move within diplomatic community of the city. His brother in law served as the Army Attaché to Peking and from him, he got a grounding in how to be an intelligence officer, how to build networks, and gather and report information. After a brief return stateside, he was sent right back to Peking to learn the language, and then become an assistant Naval Attaché. It was during this time he began reporting on the inability of  Chiang Kai-Shek to effectively manage the fight against the Japanese, and what Chaing’s military needed to fight back. He reported on the personalities and factions within the Chinese government as well as mistakes Japan was making as it drove deeper in China. 

 

Once the US entered the war, McHugh was instrumental in reporting on the ineffectiveness of General Joe Stilwell’s efforts to fight a ground war and the possible effectiveness of General Claire Chennault‘s plan to instead provide almost exclusively US AirPower to the China theater. While McHughs negative reporting contributed Stilwell’s recall, it also earned the ire of General Marshall who demanded McHugh be brought home immediately and bared from returning to China ever again. 

 

Now stateside, McHugh rotted away, assigned to an engineering battalion on the east coast…but not for long as, when General Donovan and the OSS made a play get McHugh added to his team. Although McHugh received Stilwell’s forgiveness, Marshall would not relent…..the closest McHugh got, was back to Guam to help plan the invasion of Iwo Jima. McHugh retired in 1946 and died in 1966.

 

While in China he wrote a book on learning the Chinese language that was well received. Although is time in China cost him his marriage, he did remarry during the war to a successful woman journalist, who he would spend the rest of his life with. As a final note, it was his Georgetown townhouse that JFK  bought when the future president moved to DC as a US Senator.

[Brig]

Great sword, Dirk. Getting tough to find old Mamelukes, especially to such prominent Marines

 

Interesting that he sports a mini medal on his regular dress blues in his portrait

[Dirk]

Thanks Brig! He was a big player in China between the wars, so happy to have his sword…..had the photo for years and never noticed the mini medal…..I have to match up his wedding with his service to I’d it….but thought he went straight from basic school to China 

[warguy]

Congrats Dirk, that is a very nice and historic sword. Great research and story. Thanks for sharing! I love these old pre WWII Mamalukes!

[Dirk]

Warguy thanks! I have known about this guy’s accomplishments for years so nice to find his mamaluke! 

[normaninvasion]

Dirk, when will you open the American Legation Guard museum!

 

I'm always amazed how these items find they're way to rightful caretakers. Patience and perseverance is rewarded.

[Dirk]

Thank you! Got it get a book or two done on the subject! 

[normaninvasion]

That would be amazing and needed!