James Patrick McGovern was born March 26, 1893 and lived in Jersey City, N.J. He attended Saint Peter’s College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree on June 18, 1913. In June 1914 he received a Master of Arts Degree from Saint Peter’s College. He then taught at Saint Peter’s Preparatory School until his appointment as secretary to Commissioner Henry Byrne of Jersey City. Despite the demands on his time by his official position and numerous speaking engagements, McGovern made daily trips to Fordham to pursue his study of law. He was awarded his LL.B. degree by Fordham University on June 14, 1916.

Drafted and sent to Fort Dix, N.J. in September 1917 with one of the first contingents from Jersey City, McGovern was rejected because of flat feet. He decided he would continue to work with the troops and joined the forces of the Knights of Columbus to do so. He worked at Fort Dix for the entire winter. He was finally made camp general secretary and as such provided much entertainment for the men. His desire for real service did not die, however, and after much persuasion he obtained entrance in the Army’s 78th Division and in the spring of 1918 was assigned to the Elizabeth Company. The division went to Europe in September 1918.

According to The Jersey Journal on October 20, 1918, “Corporal James Patrick McGovern, USA, 78th Division, 311 Infantry Regiment, Co. C was killed in action in France on September 26, 1918. McGovern was an orator of ability and his eloquence was heard in Jersey City on numerous occasions. His winning personality and genial disposition won him many friends, particularly in the Knights of Columbus circles.” A solemn high Mass for Corporal McGovern was sung in St. Bridget’s Roman Catholic Church in Jersey City.

Corporal McGovern is buried in the St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France. The battle for the St. Mihiel salient was the first major American offensive of World War I.