Highest-Ranking Female Officer Killed in Iraq
EmailCorrespondent David Kerley blogs: UPDATED DEC 13 @ 6:15P ET: See below.
We heard about that deadly day in Iraq last week. Ten soldiers killed. Today, that news, those statistics, hit close to home. One of those who died was Marine Major Megan McClung. She was a public affairs officer (PAO), the highest-ranking female officer to be killed in Iraq. She was doing her job in Ramadi when she was killed by a roadside bomb. She had just dropped off a TV crew at the Government Center and a magazine correspondent at one of military’s operating posts and was heading back to the Ramadi airbase with an Army officer and a soldier, both of whom were also killed. I just traveled those roads two months ago when I was in Ramadi. I had just worked with Major McClung. Public Affairs is not a job that supposedly puts officers on the frontlines. But in Iraq there are no frontlines, so PAOs are at risk. One officer told me “she was one of the best — could not stop her from going where the action was.” I did not make McClung’s job any easier when I arrived with producer Auzzie Deen and photographer Bartley Price in the middle of the night back in late September. After a couple hours’ sleep we met McClung just before a briefing with her boss Col. Sean MacFarland. McClung had arrived in Ramadi just a couple days earlier. She still didn’t know her way around the base. The major had spent plenty of time “in theater” but that was in Fallujah. We had come to Ramadi to see how the “clear, hold and build” strategy was working. The itinerary had us going to 4 water/sewer treatment plants and a ceramics factory. For our purposes, that’s too much of a good thing. We politely explained to the Colonel what we needed. He understood. But it fell on McClung to change the itinerary and set up some other activities with little notice. I don’t think she was happy, but she didn’t complain. McClung didn’t come out on patrol, or to the Government House with us (the insurgents fired a rocket at our convoy, but missed), but we did share a couple meals. She was pleasant, had a great smile, and seemed to enjoy talking to journalists… even a fellow redhead. I learned she was a gymnast when she was growing up and was a runner now. But she was really a Marine and proud of the Corps and her work. At one of those water plants, I was with Lt. Col. John Church. He spoke at McClung’s memorial in Ramadi about how she “attacked life — like she attacked entering a room.” You could almost expect to hear, “Marine Major Megan Malia McClung coming in!” … “And with a helluva good attitude!” That is how she burst through a hatch. She could not just simply enter a room. She bounced and bounded in — ready to meet anyone and anything with an optimistic tenacity that intimated some, but inspired many. She was a warrior and that is why we love her, we honor her and we remember her today. As another of McClung’s friends told me, she would not want to be remembered as the “highest ranking female to die in Iraq.” She would want to be remembered as a Marine who did her job. UPDATED DEC 13 @ 6:15P ET: Thank you for noting the error in our blog. We said that Marine Major Megan McClung was the first female officer killed in Iraq. We have corrected that to say she was the highest ranking female officer to be killed in Iraq.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
You have got the title wrong, it is indeed a horrible thing that this young lady was killed, but 1LT Emily Periz was a female officer and was killed in action in September of 2006.
Posted by: CPT(P) Partridge | December 12, 2006, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
As we feel the lost of the 1st officer female. Please remember the over hundred ENLISTED females who have returned from this conflict injuried, crippled and with undiagnosed illness.
Posted by: jagmedic | December 12, 2006, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
CNN needs to get their information correct. On 12 Sept 2006 US Army Officer LT Emily Perez was killed in action by an IED in Kifl, Iraq. LT Perez was the first woman graduate of West Point to be killed.
Posted by: A Soldier | December 12, 2006, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm
You’re article title is incorrect. This officer was not the first female officer killed in Iraq. She may have been the first Marine officer killed. However, I know there have been female Army officers killed in Iraq. The immediate name that comes to mind came the local area – Capt Kimberly Hampton, pilot of a helicopter shot down early during the war.
Posted by: Richard | December 12, 2006, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
IN WAR MANY OF THE BEST DIE YOUNG. I AM A MARINE OF 55 YEARS. MY WIFE, A MARINE 52 YEARS AGO, JOINS ME IN IN OUR GRIEF OVER THE DEATH OF THIS FINE YOUNG MARINE OFFICER.
Posted by: R J FINN MAJOR USMC RET | December 12, 2006, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm
Vietnam Deja Vu. Another dead warrior in an evil war brought by us to a once peaceful nation half a world away. Another person who foolishly chose to trust their lives to the American Military-Industrial Complex. What killed her wasn’t a IED, it was her poor life-choice by signing up in the first place. Too bad she didn’t consider what effect her violent death may have on her future prospects for a career or family, or what price her brain and cardiovascular system may have to pay for her work promoting American War Crimes. Don’t Gush over her death when a 100 far more innocent Iraqi’s die the same day. Please don’t tell me when one Major McClung is dead, tell me when all of them are. It is a both a duty and a pleasure to be a traitor to a government ruled by evil men. It is bad enough to work for them, its just plain stupidity to die for them and their crimes. We do not defend ourselves by killing and enslaving others who have not threatened us. Not even if they have oil. I would ordinarily regard the senseless death of an attractive young redheaded woman as a tragedy if she hadn’t been a mindless willing cog in a war machine bringing Taxpayer provided death to tens of thousands around the world. That I have no problem with.
Posted by: Geoff | December 12, 2006, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
Semper Fi Major McClung,
For all that you have done. For protecting us all. WE WILL NOT FORGET YOU! All of our love and prayers go out to you and your family.
Posted by: Kyle J. Holewinski | December 12, 2006, 9:23 pm 9:23 pm
I’m really sorry about the Marine Major being killed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you accorded all the soldiers that have died an article of that length and magnitude. I am sure their parents and family would like it as much as Major McClung’s family does. I know that for every solder that has died had friends and family would tell you what a wonderful person they were, and what a good job they did. Why do you report about one person and not all of them? They are equally important.
Posted by: Karen | December 12, 2006, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
Another waste of human life. I was just reading about FDR and how all his sons served with distinction in World War Two. All of them and there were four.
Now the next time Bush wants to make comparisons or anyone else there will be none until the Bush twins are serving in Iraq worried about loosing their lives instead of purses in South America.
Posted by: Kirktalon | December 12, 2006, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
This is blog is incorrect. MAJ McClung is NOT the first female officer killed in Iraq. An outstanding Army Aviation female captain was killed in an OH-58D Kiowa crash caused by enemy ground fire near Fallujah in January of 2004
Posted by: Mark | December 12, 2006, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm
I believe this fine American woman officer was killed earlier….
—————
Army 2nd Lt. Emily J.T. Perez, 23, of Texas; assigned to the 204th Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Sept. 12 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near her Humvee during combat operations in Kifl, Iraq.
Posted by: Walt | December 12, 2006, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
The Army had a female Captain Killed in a Helicopter Crash in Iraq. I recommend you double check the headline
Posted by: S. Higgins | December 12, 2006, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm
And you call yourself a news correspondent. I googled this (below) in about 30 seconds. Sounds like you owe your readers (and your credibility) an apology.
Capt. Kimberly N. Hampton
27, of Easley, S.C.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; killed Jan. 2 when her OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopter was shot down by enemy ground fire in Fallujah, Iraq.
Posted by: s. Higgins | December 13, 2006, 12:03 am 12:03 am
This can’t be true. There was a female West Point graduate killed earlier.
Posted by: spinoza | December 13, 2006, 12:37 am 12:37 am
I don’t think that she was the first female officer killed in Iraq, maybe the highest ranking female officer, but I think that there was a west point grad female officer that was killed here also. “”Perez, a platoon leader, was killed while patrolling southern Iraq near Najaf on Sept. 12 when a roadside bomb exploded under her Humvee” And I think there was a female warrant officer that was killed in action over here too.
Maybe she was the first female Marine officer but not the first female officer
So as sad as it is to lose anyone in combat be it male or female, enlisted or officer it all end up the the same someone has loss a love one
Posted by: Charles | December 13, 2006, 12:45 am 12:45 am
Please correct your headline, you may be correct that Major McClung is the highest ranking female officer to be killed in Iraq. Despite the tragic loss of this Marine, she was not the first female officer killed in Iraq. Please see this link, with the text of the DOD press release included.
“The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
2nd Lt. Emily J.T. Perez, 23, of Texas, died on Sept.12 of injuries sustained in Al Kifl, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her HMMWV during combat operations. Perez was assigned to the 204th Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
For further information related to this release, contact the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (254) 287-0105.”
Condolences to all of the families of our fallen sons and daughters. You are in my thoughts and prayers, as are those brave men and women who are still there.
LC
Posted by: Larry Carter | December 13, 2006, 12:51 am 12:51 am
Unless I misunderstood your article, this reference to first female officer is very inaccurate. See the link.
Posted by: Colin | December 13, 2006, 1:05 am 1:05 am
What an awful waste. You did your job major, well done.
Now, just look up the chain of command at all those who did not do their job.
Posted by: Bihjimm | December 13, 2006, 1:15 am 1:15 am
With all due respect, this Major, God Bless her soul, was not the first female officer to die in Iraq. She may very well be the highest ranking. However, Army Second Lieutenant Emily Perez died on or about September 26, 2006. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, she was 23 and a native of Prince George’s County, Maryland — a suburb of Washington, D.C.
Posted by: DC Mac | December 13, 2006, 1:58 am 1:58 am
Second Lt. Emily Perez was killed on Sept. 12
Posted by: Mike Mitchell | December 13, 2006, 8:46 am 8:46 am
Major McClude was not the first female officer killed in Iraq. An Army officer,2nd Lt. Emily Perez, who died as a result of injuries from an IED, Sept 22, 2006, was possibly the first.
My condolences go out to all the families who have lost loved ones in Iraq.
L. Carter
Posted by: Larry Carter | December 13, 2006, 8:57 am 8:57 am
This story is incorrect. Though MAJ McClung may be the highest ranking woman killed in comabt in Iraq, she is not the first.
1ST LT Ashley Huff, was killed in action on 19 Sep 06. She was assigned to the 549th MP CO.
If your going to report the news please report the correct news.
Posted by: Geoffrey Green | December 13, 2006, 10:36 am 10:36 am
As sad as this Marine’s passing is, she was NOT the first female officer killed in Iraq. On September 12, 2006, 2LT Emily J.T. Perez was killed in Al Kifl, Iraq. She was assigned to the 20th Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Posted by: Troop Support | December 13, 2006, 10:44 am 10:44 am
First Female Officer Killed in Iraq
FYI
I wonder if your information is wrong. It was reported some weeks back, that a Former West Point cadet, and 2nd Lt was the first women officer to die in combat in Iraq. She was also Black as I recall. Not that plays any bearing.
Certainly this officer is a Higher ranking officer, white, and a marine, as I recall, but not the first reported casualty
She may be the highest ranking, but not the first, as you have stated
Regards
David
Posted by: David | December 13, 2006, 10:55 am 10:55 am
MAJ McClung is not the first female officer killed in Iraq. Look at 2LT Emily Perez, killed in Al Kifl, Iraq on 12 September 2006. I think it is sad that a death such as hers has already been forgotten, as shown by the lack of reserach in this article. If you are going to make a claim such as the first female officer death, please don’t forget those who have died before. Forgetting her sacrifice is something that should not be done. Don’t get me wrong, I currently serve in the US Army and don’t take any death lightly, but no Soldier should be forgotten.
Posted by: Jon | December 13, 2006, 11:49 am 11:49 am
With deep regret, I honor the passing of MAJ Megan McClung. I came to know her when she was in high school in Trabuco Canyon, CA where she was involved in gymnastics with my daughter from ’86 to the early ’90′s. She was a vivacious young woman and our family was thrilled when she got accepted to the Naval Academy, met her husband-to-be and it appeared that the wind was at her back. In 1992 we moved out of So. CA and lost touch with her but not in spirit. Thank you Megan, for sharing a portion of your life with us…even for a short while. Rest in peace my little one.
Posted by: Cliff Cottonaro | December 13, 2006, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
Yeah, I knew Megan too…it’s such a waste that she died long before her time, however, as anyone will tell you, she always did as she damn well pleased, like it or not. Her friends and family have lost a dear friend and daughter. Semper Fi Mouse!! Rest in Peace.
Posted by: Loco John | December 13, 2006, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
She was not the first Female officer killed. Get your facts correct before you file. I know you have to file with the picture of course, media bonus when she was attractive. She was a Marine doing her job. Don’t forget the others who served and died with her. But most of you already have.
Posted by: CSM Bones | December 14, 2006, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
I don’t feel you have your information correct because as far as I know on September 12th 2004 Rachel Bosveldt died in Iraq she was from Waupun, WI. She was bombed in her humvee that day. We went to high school together she would be 23 right now if she were still alive!!
Posted by: Lindsey Markus | December 15, 2006, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
More fine young peoples lives wasted. The war and the Bush presidency are two things which need to quickly be brought to an end.
Anyone still supporting this criminal war enterprise doesn’t love our troops. I do. I am the mother of two misused soldiers. BRING THEM ALL HOME NOW!
Posted by: mstfd | December 16, 2006, 9:55 am 9:55 am
No this lovely young woman was not the first female officer to die in Iraq.
However, if ABC, CNN or any other “news” media actually gave a damn about “getting it right” this war would have never had initial support to begin…military families should sue them into the hell they have created for us and the people of Iraq.
The major media had full access to the truth before this war and failed to print it. That is civil liability, if not criminal. It was bad enough a president and his people lied, worse that the “liberal” media went along to support the lies.
Posted by: Prissy Patriot | December 16, 2006, 10:01 am 10:01 am
REGARDLESS WHO WAS THE FIRST FEMALE IN WHATEEVR
CATAGORY AND WHAT INCORRECT INFORMATION WAS
ISSUED.LET US NOT FORGET THE MAIN ISSUE HERE.
THAT BEING THAT WE HAVE LOST ONE OF OUR OWN.
AS IN WAR THE YOUNG ALWAYS DIE WHEN I SAY YOUNG
REGARDLESS OF AGE WHEN DEATH COMES WE ARE ALL TOO
YOUNG.ONE SHOULD REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES ALL HAVE
GIVEN IN THIS WAR,PAST WARS AND FUTURE WARS TO
COME.LET US ALWAYS QUESTION WAR THE ONE GREAT
GIFT WE AS AMERICANS ARE BLESSED WITH.MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES OF ALL WHO
NOW ONLY HAVE A FLAG ON THIER MANTEL AND MEMORIES
IN THIER HEARTS.VIET NAM GRUNT 1968-69.
Posted by: JOHN C | December 16, 2006, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
You people who are fighting over who was the first female to die for our country in Iraq did not read the article.It simply states that she is the “highest ranking” female officer to die in the conflict. She is a Major (O-4. Commenting that a 2LT (O-1) or a 1LT (O-2) had died previously does not make the article inaccurate
Posted by: Thomas Farmer | December 17, 2006, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm
Please tell me how I can contact Lt Col Church concerning his AMAZING comments at Megan’s memorial. I knew her in her atheletic and more personal Life as a student in fitness classes she lead a Gold’s Gym in NC. Mr. Churches passage hit home with me and I know with anyone who ever met her!!
If anyone knows how to email him I would love to thank him personally.
Thanks
Posted by: LaDonna Stockwell | December 19, 2006, 11:04 am 11:04 am
I was embedded twice with Maj. McClung, once when she was still a Captain. The USMC will tell you “She was a Marine’s Marine.” Don’t know anything about that; I was Army Airborne. I DO know she was an embed’s dream. Highly efficient and worked like a dog to maximize journalists’ time in the field. O! she will be missed.
Posted by: Michael Fumento | December 21, 2006, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
I think most of us grieve for the loss of bright and talented lives to what seems like an unworthy war. Warriors have always died for what they believe in. Usually that has much less to do with King and Country as it does with the people they serve with. But many also perceive and seek to serve the higher ideals that the men and women in our military stand for.
The death toll in Iraq is approaching 3000 and I am sure it will pass this grim mark.
To put things in perspective back here in the USA:
Killed in car accidents 42,116*
Killed by the common flu 20,000*
Killed by murders 15,517*
Killed in airline crashes
(of 477m passenger trips) 120 (1)
Killed by lightning strikes 90*
Killed by Anthrax 5
Posted by: Rob Brown | December 26, 2006, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
Army Aviation
Posted by: Army Aviation | February 16, 2007, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
Megan,
I respect you greatly because of your insistence of getting you, your military combat camera and reporters out with the troops; you are more than a great Marine officer.
I talked with you just the day or days before this happened and I miss you every day, as these others have. You are a good friend; I wish every day that it were me and not you. To Megan’s boyfriend, you are what we talked of. I told her that you would make good. Please do not prove me wrong.
I know you are in a better place and are amongst friends, this is the only thing that gives me comfort.
The thing that saddens me is that it is just two to three months since this tragic day; Megan, CPT P and SPC are starting to fad. Please never let these great people and these other great Americans that have fallen, even fad from your thinking. I know that Megan and the others will never leave mine; they are with me for life.
Jeff
Posted by: Maj Wicker, Jeff | February 23, 2007, 10:48 pm 10:48 pm
The reasons here why she died of a shocking death are written
#1. She was a girl
#2. Buried at Arlington
#3. She had exceptional Qualities
#4 And Flawless, unparallel and pristine beauty not even celebrities have
I believe according to the investigation I’ve conducted myself comes up with questions.
Q: Even though she volunteer why would nobody or men specfically take any considerations in the choices that she was about to make on her life?
Women are support systems, losing one would be horrendous. If she dies, everyone around her dies including herself. She created life. Can you not get that in your head? I don’t care if she volunteer, I’ve sense there’s a reason to question human morality and judgement.
Q: How come we praise US Casualities and Megan Included for what they’ve already done, What they did is what they were told to do, nothing big or special about it. Its not fun to talk about losses. Just say Thank you to them. Nothing more or less.
If some of you Military personnels picked up this message, please urgently replied to my questions I’ve posted up and added some of you answers and your opinions to my pool. It might some of my puzzles. It means a lot for a little girl.
Posted by: Jeffrey Lin | June 26, 2007, 1:14 am 1:14 am
Megan was a classmate of mine at The Basic School in 1995. She was a hard worker who pulled her weight as a young Lt. As someone who ran the same trails, fired on the same ranges, & sat in the same classrooms. I graduated the same day as her.
What is notable (as I am told) that she is the highest ranking female Naval Academy graduate to be lost in action.
God bless you fellow warrior.
Posted by: Lt Shelton | October 4, 2007, 10:18 am 10:18 am
Thank you,
Lt, Shelton, whoever you are for picking up my heart-felt words about the little Ladybug above the page. Bear in mind however, Lt., that soldiers, Marines included should never be honored for their job.
But only for their services as a modest way to “Remember the services of the strangers” that we as civilization will soon forget; and to express that as a way to meet her demands and expectations.
From all the writers, above, mind isn’t political in any way her Alma Mater had describe her.
I would be gladly enough to express my thoughts for her. Tell her to the grave and god that I became a more responsible citizen for her and lives of the military in Iraq and grew just more older with the last bit of youth in me gone already long time ago.
I’ve also grown more lonier and wonder where she went, either on a toll-road and still maybe see a glimspe of her running ahead while I drive in the car.
I might her ask for help, who knows. I would believe you would have to help me finish my phrase on your own time.
I will avenge her death, not her, but everyone at home. Attacking people for not doing their part. Whoever did this to the lovely one’s must pay the price.
I’ll make this doesn’t happen again and she’ll know I was doing my job in order to make her rest in peace.
I like to hear her cry from her grave, I know she has feelings from the deadly attack. Just like any bully did to hurt anyone and the results of it.
I’m just as sure she has stories to tell from heaven. For now, she’s just left with a tear in her cheeks and eyes frozen in time.
But to hear her cry often, makes me heartbreaking. Makes me more angry, fighting for her. Someone out there print out these two messages that from Jun 26, 2007 and Oct 30, 2007 and leave them where it needs to be at her graveyard of flowers.
Thank you for reading again,
Jeffrey
Posted by: Jeffrey Lin | October 30, 2007, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm