McMahon: Korean war photographer Henry “Sonny” M. McMahon, 81, dies

Henry “Sonny” M. McMahon 81, died Aug. 8, 2008 at the Merrimack Valley Hospital after a long illness. He was born on Oct.17th 1926 in Cambridge MA, the son of the late Michael and Elizabeth McMahon. 

As a young teenager he enlisted in the United States Marines and served with the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal and throughout the Pacific campaign. He worked for Jack Lewis for several months before he was assigned to HMR-161, the first transport copter squadron. He covered training, then the trip to Korea and ultimately the first movement of troops to forward positions by copter. His photos of that first combat application were widely published.
A combat veteran of countless engagements, he was awarded The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart and  The Air Medal, along with 18 other medals and ribbons for his actions in the Pacific and during the Korean War. Three times decorated for bravery on the battlefield, he eventually became a renowned photojournalist whose stories and photos were published in many of the nations major newspapers and magazines.

For the last 20 years of his career, he worked for the federal government as a treasury agent in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. A lover of horses, during the last 20 years of his life, he became a prominent owner of thoroughbred race horses racing in New England and the mid Atlantic states. He was a member of the New England HBPA .

Mr McMahon was survived by his wife of 58 years Gertrude, sons Christopher and Michael, six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.