John Edward McGlothlin – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army

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Courtesy of John McGlothlin: April 2005

John Edward McGlothlin was born in Drill, Virginia, on October 29, 1925, where he lived until he enlisted in the United States Army after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

He attempted to join the Marine Corps, but was refused enlistment due to his cross eyes. The Army however accepted him, and he began a 30 year career that would lead him all over the world following having his eyes operated on at Walter Reed Army Hospital.

Colonel McGlothlin fought in World War II, (including landing at Omaha Beach during D-Day, on 6 June 1944), in Korea, and in two tours in Vietnam.  He also served as an advisor  to the Imperial Ethiopian Army for two years, and drew combat pay during that assignment.

Colonel McGlothlin was the recepient of several medlas, but refused to consider himself a hero, though his children certainly did.

After his retirement in 1972, Colonel McGlothlin continued to serve his country as the Chief of Defense Mobilization during the Ford and Carter Administrations. His death in 1979 from a heart attack deprived the country of a loyal, brave soldier who never forgot where he came from.  He died on March 15, 1979, is survived by his 5 children, John, Gary, Edward, Kay and Sheila.

Mrs. Ruby Marie McGlothlin was born in Knox, Pennsylvania, on June 1, 1929, where she lived until she graduated form high school in 1946.  She then moved to washington D.C. to take a clerical job with the government in the aftermath of WWII.

She met her future husband, Lieutenant Colonel John McGlothlin at a party at Arlington Hall, and they were married six weeks later.

Being a brave and dedicated service wife, Ruby McGlothlin followed her husband around the world, providing a home for him and their 5 children in Alaska, Japan, and Africa. She also raised her grandson Edward when her oldest son was unable to do so.  Not only did she raise the child, but fought to get custody of him though threats were made against her own life.  She was truly a soldier’s wife, and never faltered from what she saw as her duty.

She died on October 10, 2004, is survived by her five children, John, Gary, Kay, Edward Allen, and Sheila, the grandchild she raised as her own child, John Edward II, 10 other grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

MCGLOTHLIN, JOHN E
LTC   US ARMY
WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 10/29/1923
  • DATE OF DEATH: 03/15/1979
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 8  SITE 7006
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

MCGLOTHLIN, RUBY M

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 06/01/1929
  • DATE OF DEATH: 10/21/2004
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 8  SITE 7006
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF MCGLOTHLIN, JOHN E  LTC  US ARMY

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