CPL USMC (Ret.) John David Musgrave

John D. Musgrave was born to Wilda (Bartlett) Musgrave and Robert E. Musgrave on May12, 1948, several weeks early and feet first. It was the first and last time he was early for anything, and there has always been speculation that the footling delivery instilled in him a passion for skydiving. Thereafter, he referred to an umbilical cord as a “ripcord.”

Growing up in Sugar Creek & Independence, MO, John’s early idols included his big brother, Kenneth, actor John Wayne, his dad, and all the other WWII veterans that lived in his community at whose feet he sat avidly listening to accounts of their war stories. There he learned about duty, honor, courage, and patriotism at a time when those qualities still stood in high regard, and they became deeply entrenched in his heart. Between those stories and the war movies he adored, the determination to serve in America’s military was firmly etched in his future and he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the tender age of 17. He said he “felt he owed his country for 17 years of freedom.”

An Eagle Scout in the tribe of Micosay, John’s early years were blessed with peace and countless friends, the most significant perhaps being Jay Van Velzen. They became as close as brothers, and devised many a misadventure together, including enlisting in the USMC at the same time. Jay said he couldn’t resist John’s signature siren calls, “Come on, Jay, it’ll be fun!” and “We owe it to ourselves!” The week before he arrived at boot camp, John attended church camp.

During his deployment to Vietnam, John learned firsthand about the realities of combat (horrific, not at all like the movies) and observed the betrayal of our government in the casual sacrifice of young Americans to no positive end. This shaped his political views profoundly and laid the foundation for his path to demand truth and accountability from our government in all such situations. John said he returned to a different country after his third, near mortal combat wound in 1968, which only added to his disillusionment, anger, and sense of betrayal. His forced medical retirement from the Marine Corps for disability in 1969 all but broke his heart and solidified his need to speak for his brothers who could no longer speak for themselves. Amid much opposition from family and community, John joined Vietnam Veterans Against the War and served as an activist, leader, and national spokesperson for many years. He was an active member of the POW/MIA movement for all wars until his death.

The most important truth about war John learned during his combat experience was the true meaning of love; that warriors do not actually fight for country, policy, or even freedom as much as they fight for each other. This love moved him to spend the rest of his life helping, counseling, guiding, and supporting combat veterans in all facets of their lives. An extraordinary extemporaneous speaker, John’s presentations were mesmerizing, eloquent, and inspiring, reaching varied audiences internationally. Many may be found online, even now, and are worth watching.

John dealt with his own PTSD, in part through skydiving and spent many years “giving his heart to the hawks” with friends and comrades. He was sorely resentful when his deteriorating physical condition required him to give up free fall, as well as the many adventures on his motorcycle he shared with family and his closest friends.

Writing turned out to be the second significant part of John’s healing from the brutal burdens of war after he wrote his first poem in the hospital following his return from Vietnam, and he earned his BA degree from Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS in 1973. Over the years, he published a book of Vietnam facts (with co-author Mike Clodfelter), as well as three books of poetry, one of which, “Notes to the Man Who Shot Me,” led to his receiving the Robert A. Gannon Award for Poetry through the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. His memoir, “The Education of Corporal John Musgrave; Vietnam and Its Aftermath,” was published in 2021 and was well received. John averred that “to tell the truth about combat is to cry out against war,” and he steadfastly did so in all his writings and public speaking.

John was honored to work with documentarians Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on “The Vietnam War,” released in 2017, as a featured speaker, appearing in seven of the ten episodes. He considered that experience one of the highlights of his life and had tremendous respect for the work and integrity that went into the series, he was indebted to Ken and Lynn for this gift and many others.

Aside from the births of his children, the most profound moments of John’s healing occurred during his return to Vietnam in 2019, and again in 2023, the result of so many kind-hearted friends and benefactors. During the first visit, he declared at Con Thien, “There’s no place for me here now,” retrieving a huge piece of his soul to bring back home. He came home from the second visit a more centered, more complete man. The family can never adequately express their deep thanks to all the people and generous benefactors who made this happen for John.

John loved his family, his buddies, the USMC, history, movies, books, music, his Honda Goldwing, skydiving, being at sea, travel, more books, anything sweet, pot roast with mashed potatoes and brown gravy, his house, Mexican Cokes, so many books, and dogs. He gave credit to his many dogs for maintaining his sanity during different life chapters, at least once preventing him ending his life. It’s impossible to imagine him without a dog by his side or, more likely, in his lap.

John and his second wife Shannon (Woods) Musgrave made wonderful team, marrying in December 1998 and blending their families. He and Shannon traveled together, wrote together, helped host workshops for veterans and their families, and lectured about PTSD together. Mostly they laughed together until tears ran and counted each other as best friends for eternity.

John’s last years were joyful, reflective, and full of love. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Lillian Rose Arnold, his parents, sister-in-law Barbara Musgrave, and beloved friend Jay Van Velzen. He is survived by his brother, Ken Musgrave of Grain Valley, MO, in-laws Pat and A.D. Woods of Baldwin City, KS, sons Daniel Musgrave (Stephanie) of Morris, MN and Rye Musgrave (Rachel) of Lawrence, KS, youngest daughter Madeline Roger (Nate) of Baldwin City, KS, several cousins, niece Kendra, nephew Robert, and six beautiful grandchildren (Elsie Ward, Eleni and Cora Musgrave, and Addy, Andy, and Ally Growcock), in whom he delighted.

John’s physical life ended at home surrounded by his family, his pets, and abiding, immutable love.

A memorial event will occur on Saturday, June 27″ at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS, 66044 from 1pm to 4pm. Private inurnment with military honors at Leavenworth National Cemetery will occur later this year. Many thanks to the staff at Midland Care for support and hospices services. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Lawrence Humane Society or a veteran’s assistance program of your choice. Please join us in celebrating the amazing life of this extraordinary man. Come on, now, it’ll be fun! And, you know, you owe it to yourselves…