Jimmy attended Braintree Schools until the 10th grade, moving to Marshfield in 1961 and graduating from high school in 1963. While living in Braintree, he attended Penniman School, Hollis Junior High School and his sophomore year at Braintree High School. He grew up in the East Braintree neighborhoods of 19 Marshall Street and Penniman Terrace. He and his older brothers Ted and Dick were known in the neighborhood for their athletic abilities. Jimmy would utilize these skills at both Braintree and Marshfield High Schools, playing both football as a wide receiver and a runner in track. In the summer before his junior year, his family moved to 29 Frisbie Road in Marshfield. Jim then lived only minutes away from the Rexicana Ballroom where I’m sure he would meet his friends to listen to the Ramrods or some other group and dance with the girls. He also lived close to Brant Rock which was an area he would frequent often as he (along with his brothers) worked summers at the Brant Rock Supermarket for “Ma” Verrocchi. Before joining the Marine Corps, he loved photography and would take a photography class at Franklin Institute in Boston. He would spend countless hours on the beaches with his camera and the beautiful scenery of the Atlantic Ocean. One of his favorite places to go was Blackman’s Point where he would hang out with his many friends. His 7th grade teacher, Margaret Reardon recalled in a local newspaper article about Jimmy, “He was a true boy. Loved all sports and was loved by all the other children.”
After hanging around his hometown for a while, James Mahler decided to join the Marine Corps and serve his country. On June 2, 1964, he shipped out of South Boston on a train bound for Parris Island, South Carolina. He arrived at PI by way of a bus from the train station, was greeted by his Drill Instructors and stepped on the yellow footprints to begin his journey to become a United States Marine. After spending 12 weeks there, he hopped on a military bus for a 6 hour ride to begin infantry training (ITR) at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. After leaving Camp Geiger, he would travel to Camp Pendleton, Ca. for further infantry training. It was here that he received training in becoming a grunt rifleman with an MOS of 0311. He would further learn skills on how to operate within a 13-man rifle team. He then shipped out to Camp Hansen on Okinawa which was known as the rock. Camp Hansen was a staging area for the Marines before going to Vietnam. He was proud to serve his country in the fight against communism.
While in Vietnam, he was assigned Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force. He arrived in Vietnam on June 11, 1965, as part of the troop increase and escalation that year as U.S. forces took over most combat operations from the South Vietnamese. During the Vietnam War, South Vietnam was divided into four Corps Tactical Zones, also called Military Regions, and the Special Capital Zone (Saigon area) for purposes of military operations. James was in I-Corps which was in the region nearest North Vietnam and adjacent to the DMZ. The temperature would hit 100 degrees some days and the humidity was usually high and unbearable. Carrying around your M16, wearing a helmet and going into the jungle on search and destroy missions in this environment was something that he had to deal with. During mid-June, elements of his battalion carried out sweep and clear operations South of Da Nang Air Base. They apprehended 19 suspected VC and ARVNs. The area that James was in was starting to see more activity. On 1 July, a Viet Cong mortar and ground attack on the Da Nang airfield exposed the vulnerability of the base to enemy hit-and-run tactics. Two companies, A and C, provided the defense of the airfield. On one attack, the Viet Cong were able to destroy several aircraft and helicopters before being driven out of the area by Companies A and B.
While in Vietnam, he was assigned Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force. He arrived in Vietnam on June 11, 1965, as part of the troop increase and escalation that year as U.S. forces took over most combat operations from the South Vietnamese. During the Vietnam War, South Vietnam was divided into four Corps Tactical Zones, also called Military Regions, and the Special Capital Zone (Saigon area) for purposes of military operations. James was in I-Corps which was in the region nearest North Vietnam and adjacent to the DMZ. The temperature would hit 100 degrees some days and the humidity was usually high and unbearable. Carrying around your M16, wearing a helmet and going into the jungle on search and destroy missions in this environment was something that he had to deal with. During mid-June, elements of his battalion carried out sweep and clear operations South of Da Nang Air Base. They apprehended 19 suspected VC and ARVNs. The area that James was in was starting to see more activity. On 1 July, a Viet Cong mortar and ground attack on the Da Nang airfield exposed the vulnerability of the base to enemy hit-and-run tactics. Two companies, A and C, provided the defense of the airfield. On one attack, the Viet Cong were able to destroy several aircraft and helicopters before being driven out of the area by Companies A and B.
Da Nang Airbase was a major airfield that was used by helicopters, fighter jets and cargo planes like a C130. The attacks on this base and surrounding areas were numerous throughout his time there. By August he was involved in several offensive combat operations as part of Operation Blastout — a search and clear mission to clear out the VC from village areas that they had frequented. The Marines would raze a village if there they discovered booby traps such as pugi stick holes or Malayan Whips set by the VC. Operation Blastout was part of the Golden Fleece operation initiated by the US to help the villagers harvest their crops. Before this operation, the VC would take what harvested rice they wanted in the form of a tax. Villagers would seek help from US troops who then began the Golden Fleece patrols. Because of these Golden Fleece operations, the VC would set-up ambushes hoping to engage with the Marines. On 09 Sep 1965, James was sent out on one of these patrols twice that day. In the late morning, Company A received small arms fire from all sides. This lasted about 30 minutes and they were able to disengage after reinforcements were sent in. Later that day, Company A along with two squads from Company C, initiated a search and destroy patrol. According to the now declassified after action report published by the battalion, the operation began around 1600 military time. At approximately 1625, Company A radioed in that they discovered a large quantity of cut rice in a village. At 1710, they radioed in that they were receiving a heavy volume of small arms and machine gun fire. Company A returned fire with small arms, tanks and 60 MM motors. They also requested a fire mission at the coordinates near where they were located. The fire mission would be from US artillery, and this would indicate that they were in fear of being overrun. Company A then received a barrage of VC motor and rifle fire. It was here that PFC James and two other Marines (Machine Gunner Cpl. Barney Boyer and Forward Observer Cpl. Thomas Czzowitz) were killed in action near Cau Ha hamlet.
For his heroic actions, he received the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation as well as the Vietnam Civil Actions Citations (not shown above).
PFC James W. Mahler was buried in Vine Hills Cemetery, Plymouth, Ma. with full military honors. His name is on Panel 02E Line 79 of the Vietnam War Memorial.
PFC James W. Mahler was buried in Vine Hills Cemetery, Plymouth, Ma. with full military honors. His name is on Panel 02E Line 79 of the Vietnam War Memorial.
"Oh God of Our Fathers, bless our efforts to provide the "Armament for Peace" and protect us if we must answer the call to arms to defend our faith, our liberty and our freedom. Teach us not to mourn those who have died in the service of the Corps, but rather to gain strength from the fact that such heroes have lived."
Author unknown
Further note – PFC James Mahler and other Braintree residents who have died in Vietnam, and those who later died from wounds or Agent Orange related illnesses, or served in Vietnam and have passed, are honored and remembered at the Braintree Vietnam Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament. This event has been held annually for the past 33 years. The contributions collected are then given in the form of scholarships to high school students in their memory. Contributions and sponsorships can be sent at any time to the Vietnam Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Peter Schiavone, 1752 Washington Street, Braintree, Ma. 02184. The next tournament will be held on August 25, 2025 at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course. Following the tournament, all are invited to the Braintree Sons of Italy, King Hill Road in Braintree, Ma. for a luncheon.
Further note – PFC James Mahler and other Braintree residents who have died in Vietnam, and those who later died from wounds or Agent Orange related illnesses, or served in Vietnam and have passed, are honored and remembered at the Braintree Vietnam Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament. This event has been held annually for the past 33 years. The contributions collected are then given in the form of scholarships to high school students in their memory. Contributions and sponsorships can be sent at any time to the Vietnam Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Peter Schiavone, 1752 Washington Street, Braintree, Ma. 02184. The next tournament will be held on August 25, 2025 at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course. Following the tournament, all are invited to the Braintree Sons of Italy, King Hill Road in Braintree, Ma. for a luncheon.
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