Artie was born in September 1944 to his parents Wayland and Maggie McGlohon. He was raised and attended school in Ayden, NC. He was taught to believe in God, country, and family.
After high school, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a BS degree in Business Administration. His first job was with IBM in the Research Triangle Park.
Artie enlisted in the US Navy as a seaman and attended Submarine School in Groton, Conn. He was recommended for Officer Candidate School, where he gained the rank of Ensign. He served two years as a Communications Officer at the Naval Communications Command near Washington, DC. He was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade and received orders to Vietnam, where he served as advisor to the South Vietnamese Navy. He reported to RAID (River Assault and Interdiction Division) 70 and served as an advisor to this riverine unit.
At the time Jill and Artie had one daughter, Melissa, and their second daughter, Amy, was on the way. After some training he served with Special Forces.
Lt Artie McGlohon served as a RAID Advisor in 1969 and 1970. The primary focus of the group was Operation Giant Slingshot, where they worked to stop the flow of Viet Cong weapons and materials into the Saigon area.
The group worked on the Vam Co Tay and Vam Co Dong rivers in an area near the Cambodian border called the Parrot's Beak. His CO was Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who later became the Chief of Naval Operations. He lost a son who was killed in action and had a job similar to Artie's.
While in Vietnam Artie was promoted to Lieutenant. He was involved in numerous combat missions and received many citations, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Navy Commendation, Army Commendation, Unit Meritorious, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Defense Medal.
He returned home on June 13, 1970, for his daughter Melissa’s birthday. He also met his daughter Amy for the first time and resumed his business career. After many years he sold his business and retired to Ashe County.
-- Written by Artie McGlohon
