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First Name: Kenneth

Last Name: McClennan

Birthplace: Vancouver, CA

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)







Date of Birth: 31 May 1925

Date of Death: 20 September 2005

Rank: General

Years Served: 1943-1981
Kenneth McLennan

   
Engagements:
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Kenneth McLennan
General, U.S. Marine Corps

Kenneth McLennan was born on 31 May 1925 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In 1943, he graduated from Lowell High School, San Francisco, CA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco in 1948. He also holds a M.B.A. degree in Transportation Management from the University of California - Los Angeles (1961).

McLennan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in January 1943 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 18 July 1945. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in July 1948 while on inactive duty status and was recalled to active duty in March 1951.

From March to June 1951, McLennan underwent training at Camp Pendleton, CA. He attended the Special Basic Officers School, Quantico, VA, from July to November 1951, and in December began a tour at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, as a Recruit Company Commander. He was promoted to Captain in June 1952.

McLennan participated in combat operations in Korea as the S-4 Officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division from January-July 1953. He later served as Commanding Officer, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and as Assistant S-3 Officer, 5th Marines. He integrated into the Regular Marine Corps in March 1953.

He returned to the U.S. in February 1954, and served as Assistant Division Embarkation Officer, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC, until June 1955, when he was transferred to Salt Lake City, UT, as Inspector-Instructor, 21st Rifle Company, USMCR. He was promoted to Major in July 1956, and in August 1957, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course, Quantico, graduating in July 1958.

From August 1958 until June 1961, McLennan served as a Marine Officer Instructor with the Naval Reserve Officer Training Unit at the University of California - Los Angeles. He was reassigned to Camp Pendleton in June 1961 and served as S-4, and later as S-3 Officer, 5th Marines. He also commanded 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, prior to his transfer to Okinawa in April 1963, where he served as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in July 1963. Upon his return to the U.S. he commanded the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines.

McLennan was then assigned as the Director, Services Division, and later, Head, Warehouse and Traffic Branch, Material Division, Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany, GA, from June 1964 through July 1966. In June 1967, he completed the Naval War College Newport, RI, and was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC, as Head, General Training Section, Training and Education Branch, G-3 Division. He was promoted to Colonel in July 1968 and assigned as Head, Operations Branch G-3 Division.

He was assigned as Division Inspector, 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa in December 1969 and also was Chief of Staff, 11th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. From May-December 1970, he served in Vietnam as Deputy G-4, and later, as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, III Marine Amphibious Force. He was reassigned in December 1970 as Assistant G-4 (Plans Officer), Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, and subsequently became Commanding Officer, Camp H.M. Smith, in Hawaii.

Following his advancement to Brigadier General in September 1972, McLennan became Marine Corps Liaison Officer (OP-09M), in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington. He remained in that billet until June 1974 when he became Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington. He was advanced to Major General on 3 July 1975, and was assigned as the Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division on 30 June 1976. He was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Headquarters Marine Corps on 1 July 1978.

McLennan assumed duties as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chief of Staff on 1 July 1979; he was promoted to General the next day. While Assistant Commandant, McLennan also served as president of the Marine Corps Association (the professional association for Marines).

General McLennan retired from the Marine Corps on 1 July 1981.

Medals and Awards

Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit w/ Valor device
Bronze Star Medal w/ Valor device
Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star
Korean Service Medal w/ 2 service star
Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 service stars
Korean Presidential Unit Citation
United Nations Korea Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Death and Burial

General Kenneth McLennan died on 20 September 2005 as a result of lung cancer at the age of 80. He was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.



Honoree ID: 407   Created by: MHOH

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