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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

My father, Stuart G. McLennan was born in Buffalo, NY, on 5 November 1904. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY, on 9 June 1928. Originally commissioned in the Field Artillery, he transferred to the Army Air Corps, and received his pilot rating at Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX, in 1930.
On 9 December 1941, he survived the crash of a B-26 medium bomber following engine failure on takeoff from Biggs Field, El Paso, TX. His squadron was en-route from Langley Field, VA, to the Pacific theater following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor two earlier. Although suffering from burns and a broken ankle following the accident, my father re-entered the burning wreckage to rescue the other six crew members. Unbeknownst to him, they were – with one exception – already dead. His efforts resulted in more serious burns and injuries.
He was retired from active duty as a colonel (O-6) in November 1944, following almost three years of hospitalization, the loss of one eye, and hundreds of surgeries. As a result of his action s on 9 December 1941, my father received the Soldier’s Medal – the highest award the Army gives for heroism not involving combat with the enemy. Refusing to give in to severe limitations and disfigurement, my father went on to become the Washington, DC, representative for Bell Aircraft and, later, special assistant to the Chairman of the Board of the Martin-Marietta Corporation.
He fully retired in 1967, moved to southern California, then returned to San Antonio, TX, in 1976. My father died in San Antonio on 6 October 1987, and is buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. He was, and is, my personal hero.
Proudly submitted by his son, Stuart G. McLennan, Jr.