Comments on: Jimmy Stewart's Stepson Ambushed in DMZ http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:45:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Tim Kling http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-788075 Tim Kling Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:28:01 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-788075 When Lt. McLean arrived in country, he was originally assigned to M 3/4 as 2nd platoon Commander I was his radio operator. Mike two C He was new out of OCS 2nd LT. you know, the most dangerous thing in Viet Nan was a second Lt with a map,,,, I don't remember what hill we were on, but it was some PPB (platoon Patrol Base) just below khe sanh,parked on route 9 about 5 clicks from fox trot ridge. After about a month or two another company got spanked bad, and we were ordered to relieve that company and take the hill that they couldn't. I remember being briefed by one of the platoon commander that we were relieving, showing us on the map where we were going to get ambushed as he did. Lt. McLean set up a plan for our portion of the hill and we pushed on before daylight the following day. Weather was bad, fog rain etc., could not get jet jockeys or gunships for support. We were able to set up at the base of the mountain without a shot fired. Two squads on line, one squad as a base of fire.. We finally secured the mountain after midnight, with heavy loses, the nva counter and overran one of the other platoons and knocked us off, then we fought our way back to the top. This went on most of the night Following am we had 32 emergency med evac's and 17 routine (kia) At daylight, under fire, a 46 came in and we loaded 13 marines on board when a rpg took out both mains and it crashed, pilot and I believe the co- pilot were the only survivors. Another 46 attempted to come in but was not able to. We were low on ammo, needed to get the med evac's out, and the 46 would not come in. Was called by a huey gunship team, Army, came in got all wounded out, returned with ammo, I really wish I could meet those guys, they really bailed us out. The pilot of the 46 had to spend a couple of days with us grunts, and could not believe how we lived. Finally secured that hill on the fifth day. My point in all of this was that Lt. McLean led his marines, fought his ass off, always cool, and handled himself as a trued marine commander. I sent a few letter to Lt McLean's sister, Kelly while in country, Upon returning home, I visited her and gave her copy's of some pictures that I had of her brother. I am so sorry for the family's loss. I learned a lot from his command and he influenced by life a great deal. When Lt. McLean arrived in country, he was originally assigned to M 3/4 as 2nd platoon Commander I was his radio operator. Mike two C He was new out of OCS 2nd LT. you know, the most dangerous thing in Viet Nan was a second Lt with a map,,,, I don't remember what hill we were on, but it was some PPB (platoon Patrol Base) just below khe sanh,parked on route 9 about 5 clicks from fox trot ridge. After about a month or two another company got spanked bad, and we were ordered to relieve that company and take the hill that they couldn't. I remember being briefed by one of the platoon commander that we were relieving, showing us on the map where we were going to get ambushed as he did. Lt. McLean set up a plan for our portion of the hill and we pushed on before daylight the following day. Weather was bad, fog rain etc., could not get jet jockeys or gunships for support. We were able to set up at the base of the mountain without a shot fired. Two squads on line, one squad as a base of fire.. We finally secured the mountain after midnight, with heavy loses, the nva counter and overran one of the other platoons and knocked us off, then we fought our way back to the top. This went on most of the night Following am we had 32 emergency med evac's and 17 routine (kia) At daylight, under fire, a 46 came in and we loaded 13 marines on board when a rpg took out both mains and it crashed, pilot and I believe the co- pilot were the only survivors. Another 46 attempted to come in but was not able to. We were low on ammo, needed to get the med evac's out, and the 46 would not come in. Was called by a huey gunship team, Army, came in got all wounded out, returned with ammo, I really wish I could meet those guys, they really bailed us out. The pilot of the 46 had to spend a couple of days with us grunts, and could not believe how we lived. Finally secured that hill on the fifth day. My point in all of this was that Lt. McLean led his marines, fought his ass off, always cool, and handled himself as a trued marine commander. I sent a few letter to Lt McLean's sister, Kelly while in country, Upon returning home, I visited her and gave her copy's of some pictures that I had of her brother. I am so sorry for the family's loss. I learned a lot from his command and he influenced by life a great deal.

]]> By: Steve Day http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-531401 Steve Day Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:48:26 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-531401 They were in the same TBS class. It was Golf Company. As sons of famous men, they did get to know each other. The training was intense and time did not allow a lot of close relationships to develop, but yes, they seemed friendly. I was in the class ahead of them and got to know both since we were in the same wing of the TBS BOQ. Ron was popuar and not many knew about his connection to Jimmy Stewart at first. One of my class mates was within yards when Lewis Puller triggered the booby trap that injured him so terribly. Lewis survived, came back, got a law degree wrote a very good book (A Fortunate Son) and was quite a sucessful veteran advocate. Unfortunately, he later took his own life. USMC, Vietnam 68-70. An Hoa, Danang, Hai Van Pass, Elephant Valley They were in the same TBS class. It was Golf Company. As sons of famous men, they did get to know each other. The training was intense and time did not allow a lot of close relationships to develop, but yes, they seemed friendly. I was in the class ahead of them and got to know both since we were in the same wing of the TBS BOQ.

Ron was popuar and not many knew about his connection to Jimmy Stewart at first.

One of my class mates was within yards when Lewis Puller triggered the booby trap that injured him so terribly. Lewis survived, came back, got a law degree wrote a very good book (A Fortunate Son) and was quite a sucessful veteran advocate. Unfortunately, he later took his own life.

USMC, Vietnam 68-70.
An Hoa, Danang, Hai Van Pass, Elephant Valley

]]> By: gary austin http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-500113 gary austin Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:55:58 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-500113 i was the enlisted in charge if the 3rd recon battalion scuba locker and dive missions the 1st 1/2 of 1969. i recall jimmy stewart personally visiting our rear area in Quang Tri several weeks or possibly a month before his step son was killed. stewart was there to see his step son and tour our rear area. we displayed our 7 man rafts and scuba gear for his inspection. we were all impressed as the area was not 100% secure. rarely would a general even pay us a visit. i remember when ron mcLean was killed, it was a sad day as were all the days one of us got killed. i was the enlisted in charge if the 3rd recon battalion scuba locker and dive missions the 1st 1/2 of 1969. i recall jimmy stewart personally visiting our rear area in Quang Tri several weeks or possibly a month before his step son was killed. stewart was there to see his step son and tour our rear area. we displayed our 7 man rafts and scuba gear for his inspection. we were all impressed as the area was not 100% secure. rarely would a general even pay us a visit.

i remember when ron mcLean was killed, it was a sad day as were all the days one of us got killed.

]]> By: Rod Downey http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-406485 Rod Downey Sat, 25 Dec 2010 21:00:24 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-406485 Ron and I were team mates and friends at Colorado State University. I admired Ron immensely due to the fact that he played football for the fun of it and the challenge. He mainly played the scout team for the varsity defense to practice against but he was a tough competitor. I knew why I was going through the practices since I was on scholarship but didn't truly understand why Ron was doing it. Ron asked my future wife and I to go out for beer in Fort Collins with him his last night at school. It was odd because I had never seen him drink before. He told us that he had received his draft notice and was was leaving for Southern California the next morning to join prior to his draft induction. Ron was very conflicted about going into the service. He indicated to us that he did not want to go to Vietnam. He said he felt he had no choice since his step-father was a war hero. Instinct told him to go to Canada and avoid the draft but he was not going to let his family and step-father down. I felt very sorry for him. I knew that if called upon I would have very reluctantly gone into the sevice and never left my obligation by going to another country. But, it was an option to consider. I really don't believe he seriously considered it. My son found this article after my wife and I told him of our last evening with Ron. It still makes me sad. My wife still grieves for him and his decision to go into the service since she strongly suggested that if he felt that way, he should go to Canada. We didn't know he went into the Marines - always thought it was the Army. He was someone I greatly admired and he fulfilled his role as a son of America. Ron and I were team mates and friends at Colorado State University. I admired Ron immensely due to the fact that he played football for the fun of it and the challenge. He mainly played the scout team for the varsity defense to practice against but he was a tough competitor. I knew why I was going through the practices since I was on scholarship but didn't truly understand why Ron was doing it.
Ron asked my future wife and I to go out for beer in Fort Collins with him his last night at school. It was odd because I had never seen him drink before. He told us that he had received his draft notice and was was leaving for Southern California the next morning to join prior to his draft induction. Ron was very conflicted about going into the service. He indicated to us that he did not want to go to Vietnam. He said he felt he had no choice since his step-father was a war hero. Instinct told him to go to Canada and avoid the draft but he was not going to let his family and step-father down. I felt very sorry for him. I knew that if called upon I would have very reluctantly gone into the sevice and never left my obligation by going to another country. But, it was an option to consider. I really don't believe he seriously considered it.
My son found this article after my wife and I told him of our last evening with Ron. It still makes me sad. My wife still grieves for him and his decision to go into the service since she strongly suggested that if he felt that way, he should go to Canada. We didn't know he went into the Marines – always thought it was the Army. He was someone I greatly admired and he fulfilled his role as a son of America.

]]> By: Earl Hulsey http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-372508 Earl Hulsey Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:39:11 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-372508 I attended the Orme School in Mayer,Arizona 61/62 and 62/63 the same years as Ron.I joined the Marine Corps in Sep '67 and arrived in Danang 06/08/69 the day he was KIA but did not find out until I read it in Stars and Stripes some time later while maintaining a Radio Relay site at An Hoa with 5th Marines.I just remember that he had a great reputation around the school and not because of who he was but because of his character.I have spent the last several years trying to locate via internet some type of after action report,etc but just happened to stumble upon this Histoty.net article almost by accident. I attended the Orme School in Mayer,Arizona 61/62 and 62/63 the same years as Ron.I joined the Marine Corps in Sep '67 and arrived in Danang 06/08/69 the day he was KIA but did not find out until I read it in Stars and Stripes some time later while maintaining a Radio Relay site at An Hoa with 5th Marines.I just remember that he had a great reputation around the school and not because of who he was but because of his character.I have spent the last several years trying to locate via internet some type of after action report,etc but just happened to stumble upon this Histoty.net article almost by accident.

]]> By: Pete Griffith http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-232253 Pete Griffith Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:30:05 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-232253 I was the 2nd platoon and then briefly the Company Commander of Alpha Company, 1st br. 26th marines in Vietnam 1968-69, an infantry sparrowhawk unit in northern and central I corps. My father was a retired M. Gen USAF and close friends with Mr Stewart from their time in England together during WW2 in the 40's until my dad passed away in 85'. I knew Ron also as we were brother Lt's at TBS as I remember---he was a few classes behind me as was Lew Puller but knew him also in the HAwkins Room which is where we drank beer off duty. He committed suicide after writing his book, fortunate Son---a severe tragedy also . When I returned from Vietnam, late 69 my dad and I talked with MR.Stewart late that fall on the horn and he was still shaken as was his biological mother MS McClean Stewart. Jimmy Stewart was incredibly kind and saddened by Ron's loss and asked for total candor from me which I provided. Dad said he had changed and never was the man he was before Ron's death. This story is much the same as General Davis (as I remember) the Division Cmdr had debriefed to Mr Stewart up in I Corps when he visited to do a flyover of the area where Ron was killed. The teams specifics of Ron's demise on American Beauty and other accounts were not known to Mr Stewart however. Only that he died helping a mate on the recon patrol. I never spoke with MR Stewart again but my old man still stayed in touch and vice versa through various venues since they lived only an hour from each other in southern california. A sad loss, a bad recce infil and I am deeply happy that his teammates survived. They all showed candor, grit, fear but determination and for this they should be forever honored. Semper FI Pete Griffith I was the 2nd platoon and then briefly the Company Commander of Alpha Company, 1st br. 26th marines in Vietnam 1968-69, an infantry sparrowhawk unit in northern and central I corps. My father was a retired M. Gen USAF and close friends with Mr Stewart from their time in England together during WW2 in the 40's until my dad passed away in 85'. I knew Ron also as we were brother Lt's at TBS as I remember—he was a few classes behind me as was Lew Puller but knew him also in the HAwkins Room which is where we drank beer off duty. He committed suicide after writing his book, fortunate Son—a severe tragedy also .

When I returned from Vietnam, late 69 my dad and I talked with MR.Stewart late that fall on the horn and he was still shaken as was his biological mother MS McClean Stewart. Jimmy Stewart was incredibly kind and saddened by Ron's loss and asked for total candor from me which I provided. Dad said he had changed and never was the man he was before Ron's death.

This story is much the same as General Davis (as I remember) the Division Cmdr had debriefed to Mr Stewart up in I Corps when he visited to do a flyover of the area where Ron was killed. The teams specifics of Ron's demise on American Beauty and other accounts were not known to Mr Stewart however. Only that he died helping a mate on the recon patrol.

I never spoke with MR Stewart again but my old man still stayed in touch and vice versa through various venues since they lived only an hour from each other in southern california.
A sad loss, a bad recce infil and I am deeply happy that his teammates survived. They all showed candor, grit, fear but determination and for this they should be forever honored.
Semper FI
Pete Griffith

]]> By: lw http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-167146 lw Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:00:39 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-167146 i attended school with ron in arizona. jimmy stewart flew in to visit him. i attended school with ron in arizona. jimmy stewart flew in to visit him.

]]> By: Henry Gross http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-94702 Henry Gross Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:06:42 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-94702 Thanks for the article. I served as a rifle platoon commander with India Co. 3/9 out of Vandergrift Combat Base from late 68 into 69. I had never heard the story although we all new that General Stewart's son had "bought the farm" along with Chesty's boy. What a waste of the country's best. Henry Gross Thanks for the article.

I served as a rifle platoon commander with India Co. 3/9 out of Vandergrift Combat Base from late 68 into 69. I had never heard the story although we all new that General Stewart's son had "bought the farm" along with Chesty's boy.

What a waste of the country's best.

Henry Gross

]]> By: Hybert McK. Hill http://www.historynet.com/jimmy-stewarts-stepson-ambushed-in-dmz.htm#comment-79975 Hybert McK. Hill Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:32:54 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681018#comment-79975 Thank you for this insightful article...I always wondered how and where in Viet Nam Lt. McClean was killed. Can you give me any info on the following? 1. Were Lt. McClean and Lt. Lewis B. Puller, Jr. friends or in the same OCS class? 2. Did Cpl. See or Sessums end up at Camp Lejeune with the 8th Marines? Thanks from a former USMC Viet Nam (67-68) Vet. Thank you for this insightful article…I always wondered how and where in Viet Nam Lt. McClean was killed. Can you give me any info on the following?

1. Were Lt. McClean and Lt. Lewis B. Puller, Jr. friends or in the same OCS class?
2. Did Cpl. See or Sessums end up at Camp Lejeune with the 8th Marines?

Thanks from a former USMC Viet Nam (67-68) Vet.

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