William Lee McLain

LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM LEE MCLAIN, JR.
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Hailing from Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, William Lee McLain, Jr. entered the United States Air Force Academy following a congressional appointment. Standing 5' 11" and weighing 201 lbs, "Bill" made an immediate impact on the gridiron as a standout tackle for the Air Force Academy Falcons football team during the program's foundational years. Throughout his four years at the Academy, he served on numerous class committees and was designated a cadet officer. Beloved by his peers in Cadet Squadron 05, Bill was widely recognized for his warmth, social poise, and quick wit, which made him one of the most well-liked members of the Academy’s inaugural graduating class.

Upon graduating on June 3, 1959, Lt. Col. McLain entered pilot training at Webb Air Force Base and McConnell Air Force Base. Following wings assignment, he transitioned to Strategic Air Command (SAC), piloting aircraft including the B-52 Stratofortress while assigned to the 301st Bomb Wing at Lockbourne Air Force Base and the 26th Bomb Squadron at Altus Air Force Base.

In 1966, McLain returned to his alma mater to serve as an Assistant Football Coach within the USAFA Department of Athletics, mentoring cadet-athletes and instilling the physical and operational discipline required of future Air Force leaders.

Following his staff assignment at USAFA, McLain transitioned into tactical fighter aviation. After F-4 Phantom II training with the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing at George Air Force Base, he deployed to South Vietnam in 1971. Serving as an F-4 fighter pilot with the 4211th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang Air Base, McLain flew tactical combat missions in defense of allied forces, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven Air Medals.

Following his combat deployment, McLain attended the Armed Forces Staff College in 1972 and pursued graduate education, earning a Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University in 1974 and a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1978. In 1977, he assumed command of the 1st Aircraft Generation Squadron within the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base.

Completing 24 years of honorable active service, Lt. Col. McLain transitioned to a successful executive career in the automotive industry, serving as Customer Relations Manager and subsequently Fixed Operations Director for Parts & Service at Phillips Buick-Pontiac-Mazda in California.

EDUCATION

• B.S., United States Air Force Academy (1959)
• Graduate, Armed Forces Staff College (1972)
• M.A. Ed., Pepperdine University (1974)
• Ed.D., University of Southern California (1978)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Year Duty / Position Unit / Location
1959–1960 Student, Pilot Training Webb AFB, TX / McConnell AFB, KS
1960–1963 Pilot 301st Bomb Wing, Lockbourne AFB, OH
1963–1966 Pilot (B-52) 26th Bomb Squadron, Altus AFB, OK
1966–1970 Assistant Football Coach USAFA Department of Athletics, CO
1970–1971 Pilot 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA
1971 Combat Pilot (F-4) 4211th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Da Nang AB, South Vietnam
1972 Student Armed Forces Staff College, VA
1977 Commander 1st Aircraft Generation Squadron, 1st TFW, Langley AFB, VA

MAJOR MEDALS & AWARDS

• Distinguished Flying Cross (1)
• Air Medal (7)
• Air Force Commendation Medal (2)