Navy Hospital Corpsman continues to care for veterans through the American Legion

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Charles McClung treated our nation’s wounded during the Vietnam War. From soldiers returning from the front lines to veterans of America’s many conflicts, he still cares for veterans today through his association with the American Legion.

McClung’s father served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. Charles graduated from high school in Dayton, Ohio, in 1968, and a year and a half later, he was drafted.

“I was drafted in the Army, and I said I wanted to go to the Navy,” said McClung. “I went to the Navy because I heard that they had the best food.”

U.S. Army Huey Crew Chief retrieved damaged aircraft from the jungles of Vietnam

McClung was sent to Naval Base Great Lakes for basic training. That’s also where he made the decision to become a medic.

“Because I wanted to save people. I wanted to help people,” he said.

He worked as an H.M., or Hospital Man, at the on-base hospital at Great Lakes.

“I got orders to go to Camp Pendleton. And while I was at Camp Pendleton, I went through Field Medical School, where they train you to be in combat and to be able to react as a corpsman in combat'” explained McClung. “I was lucky enough to end or terminate my enlistment before they sent my group to Vietnam. So, I got lucky.”

For nearly four years, McClung served as a Hospital Corpsman, first at Great Lakes in Chicago and then at the hospital at Camp Pendleton, California.

“I gave shots. I put IVs in them. I cleaned wounds, put bandages on them. Bedpans. Whatever else that was needed,” he said. “Towards the Tet Offensive, they had so many people coming back that there were people that had been wounded, and they were stabilized, and the other hospitals were so full of people that they sent them over to Great Lakes to finish up their treatment.”

McClung mentioned earlier his enlistment was terminated. While being tested for allergies, he was placed on medical leave and was on a bivouac. He returned with a back red with rashes. He was sent to a hospital in San Diego for more testing, and it was determined he had too many allergies to be sent overseas. So, he was medically discharged after serving for nearly four years.

Now, he had to find his way in the civilian world. He returned to Dayton, Ohio.

“I worked around for a little bit. Then, I went to the University of Dayton and became an industrial engineer, and then went to work for Cessna,” he said.

McClung arrived in Wichita to go to work for Cessna in January 1983. He worked as an industrial engineer at Cessna for 19 and a half years until he was laid off in 2002. Then, he started his own soda and candy vendor business. That lasted nine years until he sold the business.

About 10 years ago, McClung joined American Legion Post 4 in downtown Wichita.

“I became a road captain, and we did a lot of tours. We did a lot of flag lines, and the three years that I was road captain, it was very sad to see so many people who passed away early in their lives because of Agent Orange and detriments to the body because of their service,” said McClung.

McClung also raises money and collects items for the Legion’s annual Valentine’s Auction, which benefits local homeless veterans.

That’s one of his passions. Another one is riding motorcycles

Pratt native served two tours to Vietnam, jumped in the war’s largest allied operation

McClung has a pair of motorcycles in his garage. One is a black Triumph 900, and the other is a red Yamaha Venture Star TC.

He is also passionate about the Cub Scouts. He’s a den leader, and he’d like to talk to anyone who might be interested in becoming one.

McClung is proud of his association with the American Legion and the Cub Scouts. He’s also very proud of the job he did while he was serving in the Navy all those years ago.

If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, email KSN reporter Jason Lamb at jason.lamb@ksn.com.

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