Dennis J. McCauley was born on October 9, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY, to Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. McCauley, Sr. His home of record is Keansburg, NJ. He had two brothers, Michael and George. Dennis attended St. Michael’s Grammar School, St. Leonard’s Academy and graduated from Fort Hamilton High School, all in Brooklyn. He moved to Keansburg in 1964. Dennis was a member of the Jaycees and the Sportsman Club. He enjoyed hunting.
He volunteered for service in the US Army and attained the rank of Specialist 5(SP5). Prior to service in Vietnam, he was stationed in Fort Sill, TX, as a battery clerk, and in Germany. McCauley returned home after three years in the service, when his mother became ill. While home he worked for the American Can Company in Cliffwood, NJ. He joined the National Guard of Red Bank, but a year later he re-enlisted.
He was assigned to Headquarters Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment.
McCauley was killed in action on August 6, 1967, by a satchel charge in Quang Ngai Province.
He earned numerous awards and decorations including the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
He was buried in Beverly National Cemetery but his family had him disinterred and reburied at Shoreland Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hazlet, NJ, in the veterans section.
The town of Keansburg honored McCauley by naming a playground in his honor.
Sources: Various websites and NJVVMF, Photo from VVMF.
12/17/2024
