Born on November 15, 1949, in Enniskillen, Ireland. Major McGovern spent much of his early life on a working farm. His life long love of horses started with working and riding, driving and jumping hunters during these early years. As a teenager, the family emigrated to the Bronx, New York, and the young man graduated from Saint Helena’s High School. After High School, McGovern enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent to basic training at the Naval Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. After graduating as Battalion Recruit Honor Graduate, he was assigned to Radar Surface Warfare “A” School and Electronic Warfare “C” School, Great Lakes, Illinois.

Seaman McGovern was then assigned to Naval Tactical Data Systems School in Dam Neck, Virginia. Prior to joining his ship (the yet to be commissioned USS Dewey (Guided Missile Frigate) # 14,) he attended various other Air, Surface and Subsurface Warfare Schools in Norfolk, Virginia, and New Port, Rhode Island.

After joining the USS Dewey as a commissioning plank owner, Petty Officer Third Class McGovern was assigned to the Ship’s Combat Information Center known as CIC.

Soon after commissioning, the USS Dewey was ordered underway for surface combat warfare training in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On completion, the Dewey was ordered to join the Seventh Fleet at Yankee Station, Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam.

During the 1972 Campaign know as Operation “Line Backer 1 and 2”, the USS Dewey was assigned to blockade the North Vietnam coastal port of Vinh and Haiphong acting as PRI – RAZ identification friend or foe station.

Petty Officer Second Class McGovern’s last duty assignment was CIC Watch Supervisor on the USS Dewey stationed off Alexandra, Egypt, during the Israel/Arab War of 1973.

McGovern enlisted into the 242^nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Headquarters Company, Westbrook, CT, as a communication sergeant in 1980, under the command of Major Peter Terragna.

While serving in this unit McGovern was awarded 242^nd Combat Engineer Battalion – Soldier of the Year.

McGovern attended United States Army Officer/NCO - Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare Training, Fort Devens, Massachusetts and was named Distinguished Honor Graduate of his class.

Private McGovern joined the Governors Horse Guards in 1990 as a recruit and progressed through its enlisted ranks to become First Sergeant and Master Sergeant. He was awarded Trooper of the Year in 1993 and Solider of the Year in 1994.

He served in the Riding Platoon for two years before being assigned as Stables NCO. In 1995 he was promoted to First Sergeant and served in that position for three years.

In 1998, due to a work related promotion and travel commitments, he requested transfer to the open Master Sergeant Operations position. In July of 2002 Lieutenant McGovern became Troop Adjutant and served in that position until now.

He has 22 years of combined Federal and State Horse Guard Service. On April 21, 2003, he was promoted to the position of Commandant of the 1^st GHG with rank of Major. Major McGovern is married to Barbara Bentham formerly of Oxford, CT, and has three grown children: Gena, Aileen and Rory. Major McGovern lives in Suffield, CT, and is the Control Room Manager at the New England Electric Power Grid known as ISO New England, located in Holyoke, Massachusetts.