McClain, Richard Larry
Army Private 1st class

Richard Larry McClain, age 20, from Toms River, New Jersey.

Parents: Ernest McClain

Service era: Vietnam
Schools: Toms River High (1966)
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment

Date of death: Monday, September 30, 1968
Death details: Bronze Star citation: For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class McClain distinguished himself while serving as a Rifleman with C, 2/35th Infantry. On 30 September 1968, Private First Class McClain’s platoon was conducting a patrol along a highway when they came under intense enemy mortar, rocket, machine gun and small arms fire from their front and right flank. Reacting quickly, Private First Class McClain engaged the enemy position and kept the machine gun supplied with ammunition. Placing suppressive fire on the enemy position, the machine gun enabled his comrades to move the wounded to cover and find advantageous positions. When the machine gunner was mortally wounded, Private First Class McClain braved the enemy fire to move the machine gun to a position from which he could place intense and accurate fire on the enemy. When the enemy located his position they concentrated their fire on him. Attempting to move to a new position, Private First Class McClain was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His personal bravery, determination, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Source: National Archives, Asbury Park Press, 35th Infantry Regiment Association