Their Story
Remembering Megan M. McClung.
Major McClung was killed in action (KIA) on December 6th, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq, while serving as a media relations officer with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
While escorting Newsweek journalists in a convoy, an improvised explosive device (IED) struck her vehicle and she was killed instantly. Major McClung, was the first female Marine officer to be killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy to be killed in action since the school was founded in 1845.
The Penguin Award, an honor given to the final finisher of the Marine Corps marathon, is presented yearly by Major McClung’s family honoring her. Several other memorials and honors paid to Major McClung include: a Marine Corps-wide annual leadership award, a Sea Service Leadership Association award, an art broadcast studio in Iraq named in her honor, the Major Megan M. McClung Memorial Scholarship, the Defense Information School Maj. Megan McClung Leadership Award, and the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association Megan McClung Sport Photography annual merit award.
"Be Bold. Be Brief. Be Gone." is a phrase that she coined while training troops and senior officials on how to conduct media interviews and is used to continue her legacy.
Her awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and National Defense Service Medal.