GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Visitors will know when they have arrived at the Vietnam War veteran C.J. Gauthier’s house because there are several landmarks proudly positioned at the entrance.

First, you’ll see a classic, three-wheel trike motorcycle with seven flags positioned at the rear. This includes the stars and stripes, along with six other banners that go on to salute the country’s servicemen, including Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy and MIA/POW.

Standing to the left of a life-sized G.I. Joe, affectionately named Frank, after Gauthier’s father. Just like his dad, a World War II veteran, the mannequin is dressed in full U.S. Navy garb.

While Gauthier proudly served from 1971-75, he’d rather not talk about that. The former serviceman said he didn’t acknowledge the fact of that to friends and family until 2005, a whopping 30 years following the conclusion of the conflict in Southeast Asia.

Instead, Gauthier would prefer to discuss the extremely proud and strong legacy left by his late uncle and great-uncle. The tales of the heroes’ lives and deaths still have an everlasting impact on America that can be felt to this very day.

Step inside C.J.’s military-themed home, and you will see plenty of framed photographs, magazines and memorabilia – many of which are dedicated to two of his fallen family members who have been at the forefront of his mind for much of his existence.

Portions of the room are dedicated as a shining tribute to his uncle, Electrician’s First Mate Second Class Richard William Jones, who died in 1963, and his great-uncle, Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr., who died in 1954.

Both played a large part of a family with a long and distinguished line of military history.

While C.J. never had the opportunity to meet his uncle, his father, Frank, described the captain as a hellion who loved to chase women.

But the captain, indeed, was much more than that.

A native of Dover, New Hampshire, McConnell originally didn’t have the skills or training needed to become a pilot during World War II. However, when the Korean War started rolled around in 1950, McDonnell joined the Air Force to fight for the United States.

McConnell served in the war from 1952-1953, with the captain shooting down 16 and damaging five enemy aircraft in five months between January and May in 1953.

After that, the enshrined airman forever cemented his status as the first triple jet ace in U.S. history.

McConnell did so while flying at least three F-86 Sabres, all of which were named Beauteous Butch after his wife, Pearl “Butch” Brown, the hero even shooting down a MiG-15 piloted by Soviet Union ace Semyon Fedorets during the process.

The captain’s plane was badly damaged and he was forced to eject into the Yellow Sea, but he was quickly rescued by a U.S. helicopter within minutes. McConnell returned to battle the very next day, where he would shoot down another MiG.

Following the conclusion of the war and his safe return home, McConnell became the focus of the national limelight. He had the opportunity to meet President Dwight Eisenhower and embark on a nationwide tour that included guest appearances on radio and television programs and meet-and-greets with famous Hollywood celebrities.

However, he was tragically killed while conducting a test flight in 1954. He had been temporarily assigned to the service testing program of the new F-86 planes and his plane suffered a control malfunction.

It wasn’t long after his death that the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Air Medal recipient was recognized. In 1955, Warner Bros. Studios released the McConnell Story, a 107-minute film dramatizing the life of the heroic veteran.

A copy of the film still sits on top of Gauthier’s desk.

Gauthier's uncle, Richard, was a happy boy that enjoyed a colorful childhood. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and a member of both the cross country and track teams.

After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Navy in 1959.

Jones attended Submarine School before volunteering for submarine duty, graduating in 1960. He was then assigned to the U.S.S. Diablo), becoming a fully-certified Submariner in 1961. In 1963, Richard was re-assigned to the submarine U.S.S. Thresher.

Following an overhaul, the U.S.S. Thresher began deep-diving tests along the U.S.S Skylark approximately 220 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. However, something appeared to be inherently wrong after communications from Thresher to Skylark became muddled, which then completely stopped.

Jones was one of 128 other officers, crewmen and civilian technicians who were lost on board, with the shattered remains being found 8,400 feet below the surface in five major sections in 1964.

Jones’ nephew remembers the moment like yesterday.

“My mother came out yelling and screaming and fell to her knees, and my father came out running behind her, trying to catch her,” he said.

C.J. was 7. He couldn’t understand what was happening at the time, but would soon learn of his uncle’s tragic fate.

Nevertheless, both served as monumental heroes and role models to Gauthier and he will forever salute their memories.