South OC Times

The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 3608, a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40), to name a post office in Mission Viejo, California, after Major Megan McClung, a local fallen hero who lost her life during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

H.R. 3608 proposes to designate the post office at 28081 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo as the “Major Megan McClung Post Office Building.” Major McClung 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.

During her deployment's final month, Major McClung was killed by a roadside bomb. She became the first female Marine officer and the first woman graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy to be killed in action during the Iraq War.

“Major Megan McClung’s headstone reads: ‘Be Brief. Be Bold. Be Gone.’ She left us too soon, but she had a life well-lived and made a lasting impact on fellow Marines and our community through her service, integrity, and tenacity,” said Rep. Young Kim. “Although we can never fully repay our fallen heroes and their families, I hope a Major Megan McClung Post Office in Mission Viejo will help honor her legacy and preserve her story for future generations in our community. I thank my House colleagues for supporting this bipartisan effort, and I’ll keep fighting to get this across the finish line.”

Rep. Kim spoke on the House floor supporting H.R. 3608.

Major Megan Malia Leilani McClung spent most of her childhood in Mission Viejo and attended De Portola Elementary, La Paz Intermediate, and Mission Viejo High School. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy as a Second Lieutenant in May 1995. After completing The Basic School and Public Affairs Officer Qualification Course at Ft. Meade, MD., she reported to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton where she served as Public Affairs Officer and Media Officer.

In 1999, Major McClung transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island as Academics and Scheduling Officer where she contributed significantly to updating training protocols and establishing security systems before moving on to serve as PAO at Cherry Point, NC., where she managed sensitive media issues.

In 2003, she joined the Reserves working with Marine For Life program at Camp Lejeune before taking up a civilian public relations role for Kellogg Brown & Root in Baghdad in 2004.

Returning stateside after completing her contract, Major McClung rejoined active duty with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic as Deputy PAO before deploying with I Marine Expeditionary Force to Al Anbar Province where she volunteered for duty with Army’s 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division operating in Ramadi until her death while escorting media personnel.

Major McClung held degrees from both the U.S. Naval Academy (B.Sc.) and Boston University (M.A.). Her commendations include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device “V”, Purple Heart Medal among others.

An accomplished athlete participating competitively as an Ironman triathlete; she organized Iraq’s first Marine Corps Marathon coinciding with its Washington D.C counterpart serving also its Race Director placing second among female participants despite injuries sustained running it herself.

She was survived by parents Michael & Re McClung residing Coupeville WA

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