Mission Viejo, CA – This week, the Senate passed by unanimous consent H.R. 3608, a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) to honor a local fallen hero who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
H.R. 3608 would designate the post office located at 28081 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo, CA as the “Major Megan McClung Post Office Building” to honor U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Major Megan McClung, who was raised in Orange County and graduated from Mission Viejo High School in 1990, from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995, and from Boston University in 2006.
In the last month of her deployment, she was tragically killed by a roadside bomb, becoming the first female Marine officer to be killed in the Iraq War and the first woman graduate of the Naval Academy to be killed in the line of duty.
H.R. 3608 passed the House on June 3, 2024. It is now on its way to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
“Just as her headstone reads ‘Be Brief. Be Bold. Be Gone,’ Major Megan McClung left a lasting impact on our community through her service, integrity, and tenacity. Her life was not lived in vain,” said Rep. Kim. “I thank Sens. Padilla and Butler for working with me to get this initiative to honor Megan through the Senate and are one step closer to making the Major Megan McClung Post Office in Mission Viejo a reality.”
“Major Megan McClung heroically gave her life while serving our nation during Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Senator Padilla. “A product of the Mission Viejo public school system, Major McClung bravely protected American journalists documenting the Iraq War. I’m honored to have led the Senate passage of legislation to rename a Mission Viejo post office building in Major McClung’s memory.”
Background:
Major Megan Malia Leilani McClung was born at Tripler Hospital in Hawaii, on April 14, 1970. She grew up in California, attending De Portola Elementary, La Paz Intermediate, and Mission Viejo High School. She was a state ranked gymnast through all of those years, went on to be the first female student at Admiral Farragut Academy in Tom’s River, New Jersey on a Naval Academy Foundation Scholarship, and then to the Naval Academy. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in May 1995. After The Basic School, she completed the Public Affairs Officer Qualification Course, Ft. Meade, MD. In 1996, Major McClung reported to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton where she served as the Public Affairs Officer and Media Officer, provided PA support to Special Operations Training Group, and served as Executive Officer, Support Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion.
Major McClung transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in 1999, where she served as the Academics and Scheduling Officer. At Parris Island, McClung impacted the Operations department by updating the Recruit Training SOP, Anti-Terrorism Force Protection SOP, and helped procure and establish the Early Warning Siren System. She again transferred to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, NC. Serving there as the PAO, she handled sensitive media issues that included several Class A mishaps and was named Cherry Point Athlete of the Year in 2002. In 2003, Major McClung transferred to the Reserves and worked as the East Coast Regional Representative for the Marine For Life program at Camp Lejeune, NC.
In 2004, Major McClung took a civilian position in public relations for Kellog, Brown, and Root in Baghdad, Iraq. While there, she handled 31 fatalities, public relations preparation for Congressional hearings, and escorted media throughout the theater. When her one-year contract was complete, Major McClung returned stateside and went on active duty with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic, as the Deputy PAO.
In October 2005, Major McClung left MARFORLANT and deployed with I Marine Expeditionary Force in February 2006 for one year in Al Anbar Province. She was the Public Affairs Plans Officer at Camp Fallujah when she volunteered for duty with the Army’s 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, operating in Ramadi. She was killed when her Humvee struck an improvised explosive device after escorting a FOX News crew to the Governance Center, and a Newsweek reporter to a Coalition outpost in the city.
Major McClung held a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and completed her master’s in criminal justice through Boston University. Her awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
Major McClung was an avid marathon runner and triathlete. As a triathlete, she competed in seven Ironman distance triathlons. Her accomplishments include winning the First Military Female award in Kona in 2000 and placing second the next year. She organized the first Marine Corps Marathon (Forward) in Iraq to coincide with the 2006 Marine Corps Marathon and served as the Race Director. Despite running with an injury, she placed second among the female runners.
Major McClung was the daughter of Michael and Re McClung of Coupeville, Washington.
