Gregory “Capt'n Mac” L. McClendon

J.B. served in the Pacific Theatre, 7th Amphibious Force as a gunnery officer on LST 460 from the time of its commissioning in 1943 until it was lost in action by Kamikaze attack on December 21st, 1944. The attack ignited the ship's cargo of fuel and ordinance off the coast of Mindoro, Philippines. While serving on LST 460, J.B. participated in the consolidation of the southern Solomons in June 1943; the New Georgia Campaign which included the Vella Lavella occupation in August 1943; the Treasury Island landings, November 1943; the Hollandia operation in April 1944; the Western New Guinea operation, the Morotai landing in September 1944; the Leyte operation in November 1944; and the Lingayen Gulf landings during the Lingayen Gulf landings of December 1945.

J.B. was awarded the Silver Star on July 21st, 1945 for "gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in the Southwest Pacific Area. His ship was severely damaged by enemy action and its cargo set afire. Although the order to abandon ship had been given, he, despite exploding ammunition, went into several dangerous compartments in order to aid the wounded. By his effort an orderly abandonment of the ship was effected and many lives saved. His coolness and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States." JB returned to civilian life in 1946 and rejoined his wife Virginia and met his then three-year-old daughter for the first time. J.B. and Virginia had two more children and were blessed with many grand and great-grandchildren. As a civilian, JB taught High School mathematics and coached High School football and basketball. Over a 35-year coaching career JB's teams racked up 749 wins to 228 losses in basketball and 108 wins to 72 losses in football and won multiple state championships in Georgia and Alabama. J.B. was born November 7, 1914 in Scottsboro, Alabama and passed gracefully in peace at age 91 on October 23, 2005 in Tucker Georgia. As a humble mentor of men J.B. will always be a hero to his family and an inspiration and role model to all who knew him.