Raymond S. McLain

Raymond Stallings McLain (April 4, 1890 – December 14, 1954) was a general of the United States Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant general.

In the words of George C. Marshall, Raymond S. McLain "gave great distinction to the term 'citizen soldier'". His service to his state and nation spanned more than forty years.

Beginning of military career
Raymond McLain was born in Washington County, Kentucky as a son of Thomas A. and Lucetta (Stallings) McLain. He graduated from Hill’s Business College in Oklahoma City in 1909 and subsequently worked as a clerk in real estate office and then worked as an abstractor. Simultaneously entered in the Oklahoma National Guard in 1912, where he reached the rank of sergeant.

In December 1914, he was commissioned to the rank of second lieutenant in the Oklahoma National Guard after he attended the School of Musketry at Fort Sill. He was promoted again next year to the rank of first lieutenant. Following a Pancho Villa Expedition, he served as a machine gun company commander with 36th Infantry Division on the Mexican Border.

During World War I, he was with the American Expeditionary Forces under General John J. Pershing in France until 1919. After return home, he continued service with the Oklahoma National Guard and subsequently returned to his career in business.

World War II
In 1938, while pursuing a career in business, McLain, rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Oklahoma National Guard, and attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. After graduating he was posted to the 45th Infantry Division as an assistant chief of staff.

In September 1940, he was recalled to the active duty and was appointed as commander of 45th Infantry Division Artillery.

During World War II, he commanded the 45th Infantry Division artillery in Sicily, where he earned the first of two Distinguished Service Crosses. At Normandy in 1944, McLain took command of the troubled 90th Infantry Division, transformed it into a first-class fighting formation, and led it across France. He then assumed command of the XIX Corps, becoming the only guardsman to command a corps in combat during the war.

For his distinguished service, he was appointed a Regular Army brigadier general, the first guardsman so honored. Later, he became the first comptroller of the army. At the time of his death in 1954 he was serving on President Dwight Eisenhower's National Security Training Commission. He died at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D. C. on December 14, 1954.

Honors
Tulsa Public High School Named is his honor.

For the service and performance exhibited by McLain in his military career, the Tulsa Public Schools built and honored General McLain, by opening Raymond S. McLain Senior High School, in September, 1959. In the years that followed its opening, many relatives, friends and descendants of General McLain attended school assemblies and honored him. After almost 50 years of graduating many young adults who have achieved similar excellence in their own lives from McLain, today McLain High School now serves the community in an occupational job program role.

On May 22 & 23, 2009, General McLain and the McLain High School graduates of the first three classes came together for a joint class reunion and honored General McLain and the schools' 50 year birthday. The event was held in Tulsa, OK.

Decorations
Lieutenant General McLain's decorations include: Distinguished Service Cross with Oak leaf Cluster, Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak leaf Cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak leaf Cluster, Mexican Border Service Medal, World War I Victory Medal with two battle clasps, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver and three bronze service stars and Arrowhead device, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, French Croix de Guerre 1939–1945, Grand officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau with swords, Commander of the Order of Leopold II and Croix de Guerre.

Lieutenant General McLain's ribbon bar: