JOHN O'DONNELL
MARINE VETERAN
HONORING A YOUNG BRAVE MARINE HERO
HONORING THIS BRAVE YOUNG MARINE HERO THIS MAN HAS GIVEN OF HIMSELF EVERTHING HE COULD, SO THAT HIS BROTHER MARINES AND THE PEOPLE BACK HOME COULD LIVE A MORE PEACEFUL LIFE. THIS GIFT OF HIS LIFE SHOWS THE GREATNESS OF THIS HERO. HERO'S DON'T WEAR A CAPE OR MASK NO! THEY WEAR MARINE GREEN.HERO'S COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPE'S AND SIZE'S. AS EACH DAY PASSES,WE MUST TAKE THE TIME TO REMEMBER WHAT THIS HERO GAVE UP! SO THAT WE COULD LIVE IN A FREE SOCIETY. THANK YOU ! SEMPER FI! HERO YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN DOSEN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE A 2YR, 3YR, 4YR, ENLISTMENT OR A DRAFTEE OR RESERVIST,OFFICER OR ENLISTED YOU HAVE EARNED THE TITTLE OF U.S. MARINE! A NATION CRIES OUT FOR THE LOSS OF ONE OF ITS SON'S. YOU SIR DESERVE A MARINE SALUTE AND THANK YOU WELL DONE CARRY ON
Jun 8, 2014 |
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Benjamin McLean
bwm13@me.com
Nephew
4328 SE Ash St Portland Or 97215 USA
My Uncle
People tell me how much we look alike. I have a photo next to my bed of you at the ranch, looking like a cowboy wearing a10 gallon hat & in the correct light I agree. I think about you and how different my life might be, how different I might be if we had ever had the chance to meet. I think about how your death broke my fathers heart & how time & family & vacations & holidays & children & good times haven't mended it. I just wanted to say that your not forgotten because everyday I think about you. I love u, Benjamin Walsh McLean
Jan 28, 2014 |
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William Wein
billy.wein@ yahoo.com
Citizen of the United States
379 E. Honey Bee Preserve Way Oro Valley AZ 85755 US
Thank you Lt. Ronald McLean
Like your father you are a hero to me. All you brave men who died for our country,I'll always remember you and thank you for fighting for our beloved Nation.
Jun 13, 2013 |
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Marianne Kight
marianne_kight2000@yahoo.com
No relation
249 Lincolndale Drive Waterbury Ct 06704 USA
Thank-You
I was at the Jimmie Stewart museum this week and saw you were related and made me feel so sad... I lost a brother in VietNam..he was a helicpoter pilot killled 5/19/1967 WO Michael A Kight and just want you to know your our hero and thank-you for my freedom
Sep 8, 2012 |
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Ruben Alvarez
ruben.alvarez-moreno@navy.mil
Plt. Leader 3rd Force Recon
5320 Whitecastle Ct. Jacksonville Fl. 32244 USA
Great human being,outstanding Marine Officer.Went out on a few patrols with 3rd Force Recon.He was great out there in the bush.
Aug 31, 2012 |
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M.Eileen Cubarney
Some Never Forget
Our dear 'Skipper' IS also on The Wall. He died 17 days before you, also a Marine. Just about every day since, a memory comes slamming in to bring a slight smile or most usually the tears. We visited the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana yesterday and were reminded once again that he, who seemed so much like us,really was. I am glad you had those happy years. Thank you for your service.
Feb 26, 2012 |
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Silver Star Citation
Silver Star
Awarded posthumously 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
Feb 9, 2011 |
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David Ingersoll
inge1us@yahoo.com
Fellow Marine
USA
3rd Force Recon
After forty years there are not that many clear memories, but I have a few of Lt. McLean. I used to have a copy of the LIFE magazine expose, which included photos of your Mom and stepdad when they visited our compound in Quang Tri. I was in the bush and missed that party. You debriefed me a number of times after patrols, and I distinctly remember a late-nite debriefing as a John Wayne movie played on that white plywood screen outside the hootch. You mentioned something about John Wayne coming to your birthday parties, etc. It was an honor to know you. I never knew why you went on that Sparrow Hawk mission. Last time I saw you was at LZ Stud. Semper Fi.
May 12, 2009 |
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manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Jun 8, 2008 |
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Elpidio S. Munoz
esmunoz@yahoo.com
Fellow Marine with 4th Marines
4394 W. Corona Ave Fresno CA 93722 USA
Memory on LZ Fuller 1968
You were one of the 4th Marine Company Line Commanders on LZ Fuller in December 1968 / January 1969. I was one of the Regimental Commander Colonel "Stormy" Sexton's Radio Operators. I have three memories of you of my time there. The Colonel, you and myself (carrying the radio) walked the concentina wire perimeter on LZ Fuller. The objective was to to extend the perimeter wire out further. The LZ at that time was very tight. On another occasion, early one evening you took the time to talk with a curious few of us along with our Comm Officer Captain Baxter about your life. That is to say that you politely answered our questions. We sat on the small LZ platform and for a while forgot about where we were and by your small talk we were among some Hollywood names like John Wayne and many others. You were very easy to talk to and laughed at the amzement expressed by some of us who had not seen fireflies before when we kicked over some fallen foilage by the LZ. But what I was really impressed with was when a shot up, wounded and tired Recon team came into our LZ one morning for emergency extraction. Out of no where you dug up a can of pineapple rings and handed it out to them while they waited for a bird to come in and take them back to Dong Ha. The look on thier faces told it all. What we surmized about you in a few weeks...they saw in one glance. You had an intrinsic compassion for the troops. It was a very sad day when I was on a radio site near LZ Vandegrift in the summer of 1969 and I heard a rumour that you had lost your life in a recon insert. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. And now even after almost 40 years...when I see a pineapple ring..I'll start telling my family that memory of you. I know you are not forgotten by family and other Marines. Please add one more Marine to that list who was honored, and although very briefly, to have known you.
Semper Fi
SSgt ES Munoz USMC 1967-1971
Jan 10, 2008 |
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