As an army aviation cadet, Ray McClung trained at Randolph Field in Texas, earning his wings and a commission as a second lieutenant.  He completed over 800 missions during World War II. With “Curry’s Cougars,” Ray flew dive-bombing and strafing missions, supporting ground troops, and was credited with the destruction of an enemy submarine and three German planes.  He was shot down seven times, once behind enemy lines in France.  With civilian help, he escaped and returned to his base.  Reaching the rank of major, Ray was appointed squadron commander of a P-47 Thunderbolt group in Belgium.  He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding achievement in aerial flights over France.  Discharged after the war as a major, Ray was recalled to duty in 1947.  He remained in the Air Force throughout the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts, holding several positions, and rose to the rank of Colonel, commanding the 441st Combat Support Group at Yokota Air Base in Japan.  Ray McClung passed away in 1976 at age 57, and is buried at Arlington.