FORCE RECON McLean, Ronald Walsh

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
McLean
  • FORENAME
Ronald Walsh
  • UNIT
3 Recon Bn (A Company) (3 MarDiv)
  • RANK
First Lieutenant
  • NUMBER
0-105587
  • DATE OF DEATH
8th June 1969
  • AGE
24
  • GRAVESITE
Forest Lawn Memorial Park,Glendale,Los Angeles County,California Wee Kirk Churchyard Lot 8
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Beverly Hills,California
born 19.6.1944
son of Edward Beale McLean,Jr
son of Gloria (nee Hatrick) and stepson of James Maitland Stewart (actor Jimmy Stewart)
parents divorced January 1948
single
attended Orme School
1 year service
4th Marine Regiment (M Company,3 Bn) 1968-69
3 Recon Bn 1969
award Silver Star (posthumous)
KIA Quang Tri Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 23W Line 113
 

DATE OF DEATH:

08-Jun-1969

AWARD:

https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/mclean-ronald-walsh.48597/

CITATION:

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Ronald W. McLean (MCSN: 0-105587), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 8 June 1969, First Lieutenant McLean's six-man reconnaissance team was patrolling eleven miles northwest of the Vandegrift Combat Base in Quang Tri Province when it became heavily engaged with an enemy force. Realizing the Marines needed a more tenable position, First Lieutenant McLean unhesitatingly exposed himself to the hostile rounds impacting around him and fired his M-79 grenade launcher into the midst of the enemy, killing two hostile soldiers and enabling his team to maneuver to a more defensible position. After the dead soldiers had been searched and the team had retrieved documents of intelligence value, the Marines were attacked by a platoon-sized hostile force. Reacting immediately, First Lieutenant McLean fired his grenade launcher at the enemy and killed five more hostile solders. Observing one of his men fall wounded, he boldly ignored the hostile rounds directed at him to give medical assistance to his comrade. As he was rendering first aid to the injured man, he alertly observed a hostile soldier preparing to fire on their position. Completely disregarding his own safety, he shoved his companion down and was mortally wounded by the enemy fire. His bold initiative and heroic efforts inspired all who observed him and accounted for eight enemy soldiers killed. By his courage, aggressive leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, First Lieutenant McLean upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
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