This Military Service Page was created/owned by
CWO2 Philip E. Montroy
to remember
Marine MGen Joseph McLernan.
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Contact Info
Home Town Philadelphia
Last Address Panama City, FL
Date of Passing Jan 25, 2009
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
MajGen McLernan retired from the USMC on Aug 1, 1980. In his retirement he remained very active. He was involved in coaching youth league soccer and coached the first Mosley High School soccer team to compete in the Bay County League. He also served as a member of the Bay County School Board Advisory Council and was it's chairman in his final year.
Other Comments:
The General died at the Chester Sims Veterans Nursing Home on Sunday, January 25, 2009. He was buried with full-military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on April 20, 2009.
Vietnam War/Defense Campaign (1965)
From Month/Year
March / 1965
To Month/Year
December / 1965
Description This campaign was 8 March to 24 December 1965. During this campaign the U.S. objective was to hold off the enemy while gaining time needed to build base camps and logistical facilities. The U.S. also attempted to consolidate its ground operations more efficiently. For this purpose, it organized the U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV). U.S. support in the I Corps tactical zone, composed of five northernmost provinces, was to be primarily a Marine Corps responsibility; the U.S. Army was to operate mainly in the II and III Corps tactical zones which comprised the Central highlands, adjacent coastal regions, and the area around Saigon; and ARVN troops were to retain primary responsibility for the Delta region of the IV Corps.
On 19 October 1965. three VC regiments totaling 6,000 men attacked a Civil Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) - U.S. Special Forces at Plei Me, near the entrance to the Ia Drang Valley, in what purported to be the start of a thrust to cut the country in half.
With the assistance of massive air strikes, elements of the newly arrived 1st Cavalry Division thwarted the enemy in a battle that lasted nearly a month and included several engagements. The Ia Drang Valley action was the costliest in terms of casualties to date. The successful defense of the region improved security in and around the Central Highlands and raised the morale of the soldiers involved.