Warrant Officer McAlister was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the 55th Ordinance Ammunition Company, U.S. Army. He died of other causes on 24 April 1952 near Hwachon, North Korea.

McAlister was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.