JoAnne Rademacher
Jane I Lee was welcomed into the world by Gladys and Norman Lee of Hartland, North Dakota on March 17, 1945. Followed by two sisters, the girls grew up on the family farm where Jane acquired skills that proved valuable in the Army. Full of promise, dedication, and love for her family and country, Jane worked hard and persevered to become Colonel Jane I McCullough.
After high school, Jane told her dad she wanted to join the Army. He said, “No! You can be a nurse, teacher or a secretary.” She tried to follow his wishes attending Minot State College where she earned her Secondary Education degree in 1968. She taught school for two years. A total career change took Jane back to Minot State College, Trinity School of Medical Technology, where she earned her Med Tech degree in 1972.
Jane worked as a Med Tech for a few years, then joined the US Army Reserves 1 June1978, when she was commissioned 1st Lieutenant. Her previous education and work experience determined the rank. At the time of commissioning, Jane’s school/work experience was two weeks short of the rank of Captain. After completion of the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, she was commissioned Captain, back dated to 14 June 1978.
Col McCullough always saw being a woman in what was traditionally a man’s space as a positive experience. As a woman, she was classified as a minority which brought a certain respect. She had to be able to stand up to the men as their equal and have a good sense of humor. Growing up on the family farm served her well in the Army. She could drive the big 5-ton forklift and truck, and the jeeps. She took the great North Dakota work ethic and farm grown can-do attitude with her throughout her career.
As 1st Lieutenant, then Captain, McCullough’s many assignments began at the 311th Evacuation Hospital in Minot, the 889th Quartermaster Battalion in Great Falls, MT, back to the 311th in Bismarck and Minot, ND and then Grand Forks where she joined the 447th Clearing Company. She also completed AMEDD Officer Basic Course in 1981, Officer Advanced Course in 1984, and Military Personnel Course in 1985.
So many moves proved too much for her marriage that ended in divorce after which she applied and was accepted on active duty as Active Army Guard Reserve and continued as Executive Officer at the 447th.
After her wedding to Paul McCullough, the Army sent them to Phoenix, AZ where she was assigned AMEDD Personnel Counselor at Headquarters, Department of the Army. Here she was commissioned Major McCullough on 21 June 1985.
The Major was next assigned at Headquarters, Department of the Army, AMEDD Personnel Counselor, Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington. After this assignment, she was sent to be Executive Officer at the 309th Medical Group and made a home in Potomac, MD. The Command and General Staff Course was completed in 1988 and the World Wide AMEDD Personnel Management Course in 1990.
20 June 1992 brought yet another promotion and Lieutenant Colonel McCullough was soon assigned to the 3rd Medical Command in Decatur, GA where she was Deputy Chief of Staff Security/Plans/Operations.
LTC McCullough continued her education completing Air Force War College in 1994. In 1995 she completed US Army War College, Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Course, and Reserve Components National Security Course.
While in GA, on 24 August 1997 our North Dakota farm girl soared into her final commission, the full bird Colonel, symbolized by an eagle with wings spread.
Col McCullough’s most memorable experience was the two-month Bright Star 1997 Joint/Combined Forces training exercise in Egypt. She and her Unit were flown into the Egyptian Military Base outside of Cairo. While there, she went to Alexandria and stayed at the Mubarak Military City.
Col McCullough’s driver/bodyguard was a member of Egyptian Military Intelligence. With him, she and other officers were safely driven to other locations, and toured the Muhammed Ali Mosque and a military museum in Cairo. The USS Eisenhower was on the Mediterranean at the time so she was given a full tour of the ship. “It was huge!”
Outside the cities, Egypt was all flat desert where you might look out and see a man and his little son and a donkey walking across the sand. Colonel McCullough loved her time in Egypt and wasn’t ready to go home at the end of only two months.
Col McCullough’s second final assignment before retirement was Commanding Officer of the 48th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Meade in Maryland. With an NCO and $4 million worth of equipment, Col McCullough was tasked with developing the Army’s first multi-component hospital, staffed by both active and reserve component personnel. Quoting the Colonel, “I loved this job.” Her last assignment was to the Army Surgeon General’s staff at Fort Sam Houston as Senior Army Reserve Officer until retirement in 2004.
Col McCullough found joy in a distinguished Army career full of travel, interesting people, and best of all, success as a Commanding Officer. Her many achievements include an Overseas Training Ribbon, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Order of Military Medical Merit, three Army Commendation medals, and two Legion of Merits, the highest peace time award and more. She was also elected as a member of The Army Military Surgeons of the United States.
Col McCullough and her husband, Paul, love to see the world. She took her two sons to Norway in 1979, and a second trip there with other family in 1981. Together, from 2001 to 2017, she and Paul traveled abroad 16 times. Their many destinations in Europe and Asia included Istanbul, the British Isles, Russia, Israel, China, and Thailand. They made an Honor flight as well as travel to Mexico and Canada.
Alongside all the military achievements and accolades, Col McCullough with Paul, raised two sons and is now a great-grandmother, devoted to her family and making beautiful quilts. This is what a life well lived looks like.
