THE WALL OF FACES

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Ron and I were in OCS and the Basic School together. Mike Shinault and I spent a weekend at Ron family’s home in Beverly Hills while attending Reconnaissance Replacement Training (as I recall, his mother, stepfather and sisters were on vacation in Africa, so the house, tennis court, and pool were all ours). Mike Shinault was also KIA with 3rd Recon Bn - May 1969. I was in 1st Recon Bn. Ron was a genuinely good person, and good Marine. I think about him often.

Dear Lt Ronald McLean, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Officer. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of the Treaty that ended WWII. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

My job was to arrange travel for the deceased and escort. I was on duty when informed he died.

Ronald W. McLean
Date of death: June 8, 1969
Home of record: Beverly Hills California
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

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.

Action Date: June 8, 1969

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: First Lieutenant

Company: Company A

Battalion: 3d Reconnaissance Battalion

Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF