Community Education
James Coolican, former Peninsula superintendent and Vietnam War hero, dies at age 85
James J. Coolican, a former Peninsula School District superintendent and decorated Marine Corps colonel, died Oct. 25 at age 85.
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Coolican was superintendent at Peninsula from 1999 to 2006. Before the local post, he worked for Educational Services District No. 101 in Spokane from 1991 to 1997 and as deputy superintendent in the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1997 to 1999.
“Everything about Jim was authentic,” former PSD school board member Jill Johnson said in a news release distributed by the district. “He had a big heart, generous soul and great compassion for the students and staff in our school district. Jim had an uncanny way of being calm in crisis … Jim led our district just as he lived, with a sense of duty, focus on the issues at hand, and an eye towards future goals.”
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Navy Cross
Education was Coolican’s second career. He served more than 30 years in the Marines and was a recipient of the Navy Cross, the second-highest decoration for valor available to sailors and Marines.
Coolican was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism on Jan. 31, 1968, in Hue, Vietnam, according to his obituary. The Battle of Hue was part of the Tet Offensive by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces.
According to the Navy Cross citation, Coolican rescued several men during a surprise early-morning attack on a military compound by enemy forces.
The citation says Coolican dragged at least four fellow service members to safety under heavy fire, then climbed a 20-foot-tall guard tower to recover another wounded man. He later “returned to the guard post where he silenced the enemy with a fierce blanket of M-79 grenade fire.”
The next day, he led his men in collecting and evacuating several members of a relief force that had been ambushed and come under enemy fire.
“Throughout the battle of Hue, he skillfully effected medical evacuations under enemy observation and fire,” according to the Navy Cross citation. “He succeeded in saving many lives with no loss to his own force.”
The citation continues that then-Capt. Coolican’s “conspicuous gallantry, professionalism and extraordinary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”
James Coolican during his tenure as Peninsula School District superintendent. Photo courtesy PSD
Military and education career
Coolican’s service record also includes a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for saving from downing two South Vietnamese soldiers who fell overboard during a river crossing; and a Legion of Merit peacetime award for his service as chief of staff, Headquarters Fleet Marine Force Europe during the final months of the Cold War.
Coolican was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1960 and served until 1990.
Before his military service, Coolican played basketball at and graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. At St. Joe’s, he played under Hall of Fame coach Jack Ramsey, who would go on to win a championship with the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers.
He studied theology and psychology at St. Joseph’s.
Coolican was born on March 31, 1939, in Carbondale, Penn. He is survived by his wife, Jean, with whom he recently celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary; children Maria and Michael (Stacey, sons John and Dale); and grandchildren Shay, Casey, Liam and Mary Katharine.
A funeral service with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, along with a local service and celebration. Dates and details will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Coolican’s name.