Warren Howard McClain, USN
| Born | 16 Mar 1909 | | Smithville, Georgia, USA |
| Died | 8 Nov 1990 | (81) | El Toro, California, USA |
 | Ranks| 1 Dec 1937 | | Lt. | | 1 Jan 1942 | | T/Lt.Cdr. | | 30 Jun 1942 | | Lt.Cdr. | | 15 Oct 1942 | | T/Cdr. | | 1 May 1949 | | T/Capt. |
Decorations |
Warship Commands listed for Warren Howard McClain, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Russell (DD 414) | T/Cdr. | Destroyer | 14 Jan 1943 | 11 Dec 1943 (1) |
| USS Taussig (DD 746) | T/Cdr. | Destroyer | 19 Jun 1945 | Jan 1946 |
Career information
Warren Howard McClain was born 16 March 1909 in Smithville, Georgia. He grew up in Athens, Georgia, and in 1926 was appointed to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from the Naval Academy in June 1930. From 1938-1943 he served as Engineering Officer aboard the USS Maryland and as Engineering and Executive Officer aboard the USS Anderson. From Jan-Dec 1943, McClain served as Commanding Officer of the USS Russell. From Feb 1944-Apr 1945 he was stationed at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn. He took command of the USS Taussig 19 June 1945. Captain McClain took part in the battles of the Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, Midway, Santa Cruz, Tarawa, among others, and the Kiska Occupation. From Jan 1946-Mar 1947 he served as Commander of Destroyer Division 92, composed of the USS Taussig, USS Blue, USS Maddox, and USS Brush. He was stationed at the Philadelphia, PA, Navy Yard from Apr 1947-Jul 1950. From 1950-1953 he served on the staff of Commander of the Atlantic Fleet Destroyer Force in Melville, RI. He was also Athletic Director for the Force's 65,000 men. Captain McClain served on the Naval Operations Inspection Team at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. from 1953-1954, and served as Planning Officer at the Long Beach, California, Naval Shipyard from 1954-1957. Captain McClain's last military duty was as Assistant Industrial Manager, Superintendant of Shipbuilding, Seattle, Washington. His decorations include American Defense with "A", Bronze Star with Gold Star in lieu of Second Bronze Star, American Theatre one Silver and three Bronze stars, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre China Duty and Occupation Philippine Independence World War II Victory. Warren Howard McClain married Betty Jane Winters of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on 8 November 1934. They had two children, James and Lorraine, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren (as of 2015). Captain McClain retired in February 1960 and moved to El Cerrito, California. He earned his Master's Degree in Accounting and taught that subject at Armstrong College in Berkeley, CA. After retiring from Armstrong College, in 1975 he moved to Laguna Hills (now Laguna Woods), California, to be closer to children and grandchildren. He died 8 Nov 1990 in El Toro, California, at the age of 81, and was buried at sea. A memorial marker for him (and also for his wife, Betty) was placed in Section MU, Site 43F, Row 0, at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Events related to this officer
1 Jul 1945
USS Taussig departed from San Pedro Bay, Philippines with TG 38.1.
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