Ralph E. McClain

A World War II hero, Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Edward McClain, U.S. Army Retired died in his home May 16, 2002, after a long fight with cancer. The D-Day veteran also saw action in three of the greatest European campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge, the Siege of Mortain, and the Race to the Rhine.

Ralph E. "Mac" McClain earned the Bronze Star for his service as a captain with the 30th "Old Hickory Division" which took part in the invasion of Nazi-occupied France during the Normandy landings in June of 1944. The 30th Division landed at Normandy, and fought its way into occupied France. In the Ardennes Forest in the bitter winter of 1944-45, the 30th was part of the Battle of the Bulge, the massive German counter-offensive on the western front.

LTC McClain also took part in the siege of Mortain when American units were surrounded by overwhelming numbers of Germans but held on.

His proudest service during the war, according to LTC McClain, was during the winter of 1944 when the bitter cold and damp conditions threatened to stall the allied advance. Soldiers in constant battle and on the march were being hit with severe injuries due to the lack of dry boots. And there were no replacements to be had in the theatre.

Responding with incredible speed and tenacity LTC McClain engaged in a miraculous "overnight" effort that drew on local labor, bartered materials and a brilliant logistical campaign. His company supplied the division with dry footware they had to manufacture from scratch and helped literally thousands of young soldiers avoid the crippling effects of frostbite.

LTC McClain was born October 17, 1918, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He attended Holy Angels School in Sydney, OH. and graduated from St Gregory's Seminary in Cincinnati, OH.

Drafted into the Army in 1940, he served briefly before being selected for officers candidate school. He joined American forces in England preparing for the D-Day invasion.

After his war time service in Europe he accepted a regular commission and served in the Army of Occupation in Japan. He married Mary Jane Lundy McClain in Atlanta, GA. in 1942. His Army career involved command of units in Japan, and Italy and a tour as a staff officer at the Pentagon.

He served in Korea as well. He learned first-hand about the difficulty of the peace process after serving as a negotiator in what he considered endless talks at the peace conference at PymongJong.

While serving at the Pentagon, he did groundbreaking work on the standardization of weapons and ammunition for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO. Thanks directly to his efforts, the 16 nation alliance that won the Cold War was better able to exchange and supply its combat forces in the field. This work paid off on the battlefield when NATO forces fought in Kosovo.

LtCol McClain served as post commander for a NATO command in the early 1960s in Vicenza, Italy. While in Italy, he won the Ambassador's Award as the most distinguished American in Italy. The award was based on his having saved the life of a local Italian mayor during a field training exercise.

In the course of his military service he was able to earn a bachelors and masters degree, both with honors, from the University of Maryland. After he earned his degrees he taught for the University of Maryland in Italy, and then became a Professor of Military Science as the commander of an ROTC detachment at Worcester Poly Technical University in Worcester, MA.

Following his retirement from the Army, LTC McClain joined the faculty at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL. He was the head of the Political Science Department. He later chaired the Social Sciences Division and accepted the title of Professor Emeritus at the end of his 10 year tenure in 1978.

In post retirement, he traveled with his wife. They made frequent trips to Europe, a tour of Asia, and a round the world tour.

He also speculated successfully in real estate and built several homes. The later houses included two particularly innovative designs that enriched communities in Mobile, Al., and in Jasper, GA..

A deeply religious man who began his life as a student for the priesthood, LTC McClain placed great value in his family and always valued his roots in Sydney, OH., and in the communities he adopted later.

He died in his home after a long bout with illness. He was surrounded by his loving wife of 55-years, Mary Jane Lundy McClain and by his family.

LTC McClain is survived by his beloved wife Mary Jane Lundy McClain of San Antonio, TX., by his son Dr. Colonel John Bruce Lundy McClain U.S. Army retired, and daughter-in-law Sylvia Sanders McClain of Lovettsville, VA., by his daughter Mary Josephine McClain Blake, and son-in-law Colby Blake of San Antonio, TX., and by his grandchildren Maxine Alice McClain, Mary Bronwyn Elizabeth Blake, Molly Jane McClain, McClain Sean Christian Blake, Sophia Ann McClain, Joseph Emmanuel McClain, Sasha Renee McClain, Ekatrinia Grace McClain, Cassandra Louise McClain, and Carolyn Olivia Lundy Blake.

He is also survived by his sister Dorothy McClain Moniaci and brother-in-law Louie Moniaci of Sydney, OH., by his sister Ada McClain Fogt and brother-in-law Herb Fogt of Troy,OH.,and by his sister Rose McClain Brady and brother-in-law Wayne Brady of New Breman, OH., and his sisters-in-law Betty McClain, Blanche McClain and Beverly McClain, all of Sydney, OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Harmon McClain and Mary Philomena Rakel, his brothers William Andrew McClain, Sr., Alfred Jerome McClain, James Patrick McClain, and by his sister Mary Louise McClain Adams Huckeriede.

Burial and interment with full military honors is scheduled for Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA., on 18 June 2002. Services for LTC McClain will begin at 8:45 a.m. The Rev. Leo A. Nicoll, S.J. will preside.