DINFOS memorializes training rooms for Maj. Megan M. McClung during Marine Corps birthday ceremony

Official Statements

• Defense Information School, November 15: “FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. — The Defense Information School memorialized the Maj. Megan M. McClung Training Rooms Nov. 12 at its campus during a ceremony with Marine Detachment Fort Meade that also celebrated the Marine Corps' 251st birthday.”

• Defense Information School, November 15: “McClung, a Marine public affairs officer and DINFOS graduate, was killed Dec. 6, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq. An improvised explosive device struck her Humvee shortly after she escorted journalists from Fox News and Newsweek in the city. Army Capt. Travis Patriquin and Spc. Vincent Pomante III were also killed. She was the first female Marine officer killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

• Defense Information School, November 15: “Her brother, Michael McClung, joined Col. Jennifer Bocanegra, DINFOS commandant, and Maj. Nicole Plymale, commanding officer of Marine Detachment Fort Meade, to unveil the rooms. They display McClung's portrait, biography and service history. Plymale reminded students that McClung's career began in the same school. "Major McClung once sat where our students sit today," Plymale said.”

• Defense Information School, November 15: “Retired Marine Corps Col. Bryan Salas, the guest of honor, was chief spokesman for Marine forces in Iraq in 2006 and brought McClung onto his team. He said she volunteered to return to active duty from the reserves for the deployment. At one point she coordinated 70% of all media in Iraq, and she briefed the commanding general and battle staff daily. Salas recalled meeting her parents at Camp Pendleton, California, before the deployment, when her father told him to take care of their daughter.”

• Defense Information School, November 15: "Take care of her? Megan's gonna take care of me," Salas said he replied. Salas also recognized the Marines who served with McClung, several of whom attended, calling them "living legends" in the public affairs community. Bocanegra said that when she attended the Public Affairs Qualification Course in 2009, instructors who had served with McClung had already brought her approach into the classroom. Bocanegra also thanked current and former Fort Meade garrison leaders, along with the DINFOS leaders and faculty who worked to make the memorialization happen.”

• Defense Information School, November 15: "Megan ran to the sound of the guns," Bocanegra said. "She died bringing press to cover combat operations because she wanted to make sure that story was told factually and accurately. And that is strength through truth."

• Defense Information School, November 15: “The ceremony opened with Marine Corps birthday traditions, supported by the Commandant's Four of the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and a quintet from "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band. Capt. John Fischer, the detachment adjutant, read the birthday message of Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, the 13th commandant of the Marine Corps. The first piece of cake went to Salas. Retired Sgt. Maj. Dennis J. Plymale, the oldest Marine present, then passed a piece to the youngest, Pfc. Micheal Montiel-Giron.”

• Defense Information School, November 15: “Salas closed his remarks with the advice McClung gave for media interviews and for life: "Be bold, be brief, and be gone." The motto is engraved on her headstone at Arlington National Cemetery. The Defense Information School is a component of the War Media Agency, located on Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. The school trains U.S. military, DoW civilian and international military students in public affairs, journalism, photography, video production, systems engineering and various forms of graphic design and digital media.”