Charles S. McClain – Colonel, United States Army

From a contemporary press reports:

Colonel Charles S. “Chuck” McClain, 69, died at his home among family on August 11, 2002. A native of Fremont, Nebraska, he lived in communities throughout the world before settling in Virginia Beach in 1992.

He received his bachelor’s from the University of Nebraska, his master’s from the University of Oklahoma and was a graduate of both the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. During his 26-year career in the U.S. Army, he served two tours in Vietnam as a Special Forces advisor, was director of Central American and Caribbean Affairs on the staff of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Defense Attache-Bogata, was a member of the U.S. Delegation to Law of the Sea Conference and was a member of the negotiating team for the Panama Canal Treaty.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (with combat V and 5 oak leaf clusters), Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Combat V and oak leaf cluster), American Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Stars), Vietnam Campaign Medal (with two Bronze Stars) and the Vietnam Air Force Honor Medal.

Following his military retirement he served as executive vice president of Fiber Materials Inc. of Biddeford, Maine. He also founded and acted as president and CEO of Virginia Senior Publications. Colonel McClain served as a Virginia Beach elections official and in 2001 was honored by Governor Gilmore with the Patrick Henry Award.

He was a member of the National Honor Society and Sigma Chi Fraternity. Although never fully retired, Chuck did avidly pursue his interest in golf with his many friends at Hell’s Point Golf Course.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Stacy O’Brien and husband, Frank of West Windsor, N.J.; grandchildren, Jeremy Eyre, Caroline and Justin Dooley and sister, Judith Komen of Kansas City, Mo. His daughter, Stephanie Dooley preceded him in death. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Kelly Johnson, Gary Lindsay and Joseph Lindsay; and his grandchildren, Gary, Hannah, Nicole, Joseph Jr., Katherine Lindsay and Lindsay Johnson.

A Christian wake will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 2002 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, followed by a visitation until 8 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach. Interment will be held in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors September 5 at 11 a.m.

Charles S. McClain, Colonel, United States Army (retired) died at his home among family on August 11, 2002, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, formerly of the Washington Area.

During his 27 year military career in the U.S. Army, he served two tours in Vietnam as a Special Forces Advisor, was Director of Central American and Caribbean Affairs on the staff of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Defense Attache-Bogota, was a member of the U.S. Delegation to Law of the Sea Conference and was a member of the negotiating team for the Panama Canal Treaty.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Stacy O’Brien of West Windsor, New Jersey.

Funeral services with Military Honors will be held September 5, at 11:00 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard