Charles B. McLean

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on September 3, 2004:

Charles Brannon McLean, Jr. Born September 27, 1927 - Died October 4, 1997 Charles Brannon "Mac" McLean, Jr. was born in Fuquay Springs, North Carolina on 27 December 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the 7th Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "'Mac,' after realizing that the Navy was no place for him, entered the Academy on that well remembered day in July when all the rest of us reported to the 'First Sergeant of Fifth Company.' Rumor has it that Mac plans to return North Carolina for his second million through tobacco. His friendliness has been our example of what real 'Southern Hospitality' is and we will remember that most of all." During his cadet days Mac was with the Record Lending Library yearling, cow, and first class years; with the Skeet Club plebe year; with the Fishing and French Clubs cow year; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Mac went in the Artillery and after completing the Basic Artillery Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma reported to the 70th Anti Aircraft Battalion where he served from 1951 to 1952. His next assignment with the 176th Armored Field Artillery Battalion in Korea in 1952 and he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. Next Mac went to Japan with the 753rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion where he served until 1954. In 1959 Mac earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and on completion was assigned to Ordnance Tank Automotive Command and he served until 1963. In 1963 Mac went to Italy on assignment as a mechanical engineer with the Ordnance Tank Automotive Command a position he held until 1967 and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Mac's next assignment was to Headquarters, Army Materiel Command, Washington, DC where he served from 1967 to 1969 when he received orders to the Support Command, Republic of Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy. Mac's last military assignment was to Office, Chief of Research & Development in 1970 where he served until 1971 when he retired from the United States Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. After retirement Mac accepted a position with the NAPA Company in Indiana until 1986 and then went into Sales with the GRC Company from 1988 to 1996. Charles Brannon McLean, Jr. died of a heart attack on 4 October 1997 in Mennetonka, Minnesota. A visitation was held on 7 October 1997 followed by a memorial service on 8 October 1997. Internment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery on 9 October 1997. His wife Bonnie, daughters Rebecca Ellis and Cynthia Keith, and 5 grand-daughters survive him. jac; 18403, wc 452 (10/2/2000)

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