TBS honors Marine

Marine Corps Base Quantico
Story by Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Ramos

Date: 05.17.2012
Posted: 05.21.2012 15:16
News ID: 88745
TBS honors Marine

QUANTICO, Va. - Col. Julian D. Alford, commanding officer for The Basic School, named recently completed student barracks in honor of 1st Lt. Donald R. McGlothlin, who was awarded the Silver Star, posthumously, for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as rifle platoon commander, 2nd Platoon, Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2/1, 13 Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in New Ubaydi, Iraq, Nov. 16, 2005.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that your son had such an impact on his Marines that Corps would want to make an example of him for others to emulate,” said Donald A. McGlothlin, his father. “It’s a testament to the type of person he was. My family couldn’t be more thankful.”

During Operation Steel Curtain, then-2nd Lt. Mcglothlin’s platoon engaged 21 enemy personnel who were delivering automatic fire from frontal and flanking fortified positions.

Shortly thereafter, McGlothlin learned that the forward squad had sustained heavy casualties.

With complete disregard for his own life, he made his way through the insurgent stronghold and began to engage the enemy to secure and recover his embattled Marines.

While his last Marine was being evacuated from the building, McGlothlin shielded his Marines from an enemy grenade blast and again engaged the enemy in a fierce small arms fire fight, until he was mortally wounded.

Do to his valiant actions, McGlothlin saved the lives of two Marines and was crucial in the company eliminating 18 insurgents.
“This building means that his memory will not be forgotten,” said Col. Robert Oltman, chief of staff for Training and Education Command.

After the ribbon was cut, the McGlothlin family toured the building.

“It’s a lot bigger than I was expecting,” said Ruth McGlothlin, his mother. “I only wish my son could have had more time to do what he loved.”

Making his way through the building McGlothlin’s father stopped and met Marines who had served with his son. He listened with great joy at the many stories each had to tell.

“The Marine Corps has accepted us into their family and words cannot describe how that feels.”