John N. McLaughlin

John N. McLaughlin was born on September 21, 1918, in Charleston, South Carolina; however, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia, when he was four years old. McLaughlin later attended the Benedictine Military School there and following his graduation in 1936 enrolled at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He also entered the Georgia National Guard at the same time.

Upon his graduation in June 1941 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, McLaughlin entered active Marine Corps service and was assigned to the Officer Candidates School at Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia. He completed the five months course and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on November 1, 1941.

He was subsequently attached to Company "C", 1st Battalion, 5th Marines under famous Lieutenant Colonel Merritt "Red Mike" Edson at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.[1][3][2]

His regiment sailed to the Southwest Pacific, arriving at Wellington, New Zealand on June 14, 1942. The 5th Marines spent the next two months with preparations for combat deployment, which occurred at the beginning of August 1942 with an amphibious landing on Guadalcanal. McLaughlin later took part in actions along the Matanikau River and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in October 1942. However the 5th Marines took heavy casualties and were ordered to Australia on December 9 of that year for rest and refit. Meanwhile, McLaughlin was promoted to the rank of captain in February 1943 and assumed command of "C" Company.

While in Australia, a lot of men under his command recuperated from Malaria and other wounds and McLaughlin oversaw the training of his company and preparations for their next amphibious operation. At the end of September 1943, the 5th Marines left Australia and sailed for Milne Bay, New Guinea for advanced training, emphasizing shore-to-shore operations and utilizing terrain closely resembling that on New Britain.[1]

The 5th Marines were ordered to Cape Gloucester on December 29, with the mission to capture a large Japanese airdrome. After one airfield was captured, at the end of December, the 5th Marines began chasing retreating Japanese units. McLaughlin and his company proceeded to Natamo Point and overran the enemy's positions. He then took part in combat in the vicinity of Mount Schleuther and helped to clear the village Talasea at the beginning of March 1944.

After the area was declared secured, McLaughlin and his battalion moved to Pavuvu Island at the beginning of May 1944. After the next several months of training duties, the 5th Marines were designated as landing force for the upcoming Peleliu operation. Captain McLaughlin landed with his company on September 15, 1944, and during the first days of combat, "C" Company repelled two Japanese tank-infantry counterattacks, destroying several tanks and killing supporting infantry. During the next two weeks, McLaughlin and his company repeatedly assaulted heavily fortified enemy positions along the Peleliu Airfield and after four days of intensive fighting, he bravely led his company in an assault under heavy fire to repulse several night counterattacks in which two enemy machine guns were captured, numerous Japanese killed and many tanks put out of action. For his gallantry in action, McLaughlin was decorated with the Silver Star.[4]

At the end of October 1944, 5th Marines were ordered back to Pavuvu for rest and refit. McLaughlin spent the next four weeks there and returned to the United States at the beginning of December of that year. After brief leave for Christmas, McLaughlin reported for duty at the staff of Marine Corps Schools Quantico under his old 1st Marine Division Commander, Major General William H. Rupertus. While served in that capacity, McLaughlin was promoted to the rank of major in February 1945.[1]

Commanding general of Fleet Marine Force Pacific, Lieutenant general McLaughlin escorting Princess Grace of Monaco during her visit to Hawaii.

Because of his medical condition, McLaughlin was also granted almost four months of medical leave. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in December 1953, with date of rank from July 1, 1951. His new assignment was with the staff of Marine Corps Schools Quantico, which he knew well from his late World War II service.[1]

McLaughlin also assumed command of his World War II, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in September 1956. He was promoted to the rank of colonel on July 1, 1960, and transferred to the staff of United States Sixth Fleet under Vice Admiral George W. Anderson. He served in that capacity as fleet Marine officer and spent this time in Mediterranean Sea.[1]

During 1961, McLaughlin returned to the United States and was ordered to Washington, D.C., where he assumed duties as Marine Corps aide to the United States Under Secretary of the Navy, Paul B. Fay.

McLaughlin's career slowly flourished, and he swapped one important assignment for another one. In early 1963, he was appointed Marine Corps liaison officer in the office of Chief of Naval Operations, where he served under his old superior from Sixth Fleet, Admiral Anderson. He also received the newly established Joint Service Commendation Medal for his service in that capacity.[1]

While in Washington, D.C., McLaughlin was ordered to the Senior Course at National War College and subsequently also earned a master's degree in international affairs at George Washington University in July 1965. He subsequently assumed command of the 6th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune and served in that capacity until the end of December 1965.[10]

McLaughlin subsequently assumed duties as chief of staff of the 2nd Marine Division under Major General Ormond R. Simpson, but did not go to South Vietnam and stayed stateside.[1][6]

On January 10, 1967, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and appointed deputy chief of staff for Plans at the staff of United States Strike Command under General Theodore J. Conway. He distinguished himself again in this capacity, and received his second Legion of Merit.[4][2]

Brigadier General McLaughlin finally received orders for deployment to Vietnam on February 18, 1968, when he was ordered to Danang and assumed duties as assistant division commander, 1st Marine Division under Major General Donn J. Robertson. In this capacity, McLaughlin relieved brigadier general Foster C. LaHue and simultaneously served as commander of Task Force X Ray in the area of Phu Bai Combat Base.[1]

At the end of May 1968, McLaughlin was relieved by Brigadier General George D. Webster and was transferred to Saigon, where he was appointed deputy chief of staff for operations on the staff of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam under General Creighton Abrams. He succeeded Brigadier General John R. Chaisson in that capacity and was responsible for the planning of the military operations until August 1969. For his service in Vietnam, McLaughlin received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and several Vietnamese decorations.[1][2]

Upon his return to the United States, McLaughlin was promoted to the rank of major general on September 3, 1969, and appointed commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. In this capacity, he was responsible for the training of new recruits, which served as replacements for Marine units overseas and stateside.

During the beginning of March 1973, McLaughlin assumed command of the 4th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, which served as the main ground force of the Marine Corps Reserve. Following one year of service in that capacity, McLaughlin was nominated for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general and subsequently promoted on September 1, 1974. His new assignment was in the capacity of Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps under General Robert E. Cushman. In this administrative position, McLaughlin proved great skills and received his third Legion of Merit.[4]

His final assignment came at the beginning of August 1975, when he assumed duties as commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Pacific with headquarters in Hawaii. He held this largest field command of the Marine Corps until July 1, 1977, when he retired from active service after 36 years. At his retirement ceremony, McLaughlin was decorated with his second Navy Distinguished Service Medal.[5][1][2]

Following his retirement, McLaughlin settled in Savannah, Georgia, with his wife Marilee Hicks McLaughlin (1925–1987). He was active in the Marine Corps Historical Foundation, where he received a Certificate of Appreciation by then-Commandant Robert H. Barrow for his contributions to the Oral History Program.[11]

Upon the death of his first wife, he married again and spent the rest of his life with Andrea Adams McLaughlin (1929–2012). McLaughlin struggled with cancer and finally died due to a heart attack on August 8, 2002. He is buried at Beaufort National Cemetery, South Carolina.[12][6]

His old friend from the prison camp, Lieutenant General William G. Thrash said:

"General McLaughlin was the best friend I ever had. He was a tower of strength in the camp," said Thrash. "He helped me run the camp. I could not have made it without him. Great leaders are born not made. He was a humble man, but a brilliant man and one of the outstanding officers of the Corps. He leaves a wonderful legacy for all Marines to emulate."[13]

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General John N. McLaughlin:[4]

• Battle of Chosin Reservoir

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 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.