Hannah Chavez
Dylan Drugatz
Period 2
Bill McInroe
US Marine Corps
24 Years in Service
2017
Bill McInroe
“Hardship, sacrifice, honor, duty.” These are just some of the attributes that veteran Bill McInroe has learned from serving 24 years in the Marines. He is a warm hearted, genuine, and inspirational man that endured things others couldn't even imagine. Growing older and enduring the hardships that come with being in the service, he developed a sense of self reliance and responsibility to not only himself, but to his soldiers, his family, and his country. It definitely shaped his character, making him someone that many others look up too.
He was born on February 8th, 1931 in Stephenville, Texas, a town not far from Dallas. Living there for a large part of his childhood, 12 years, his family relocated to sunny San Diego in California. He then continued on to attend San Diego High School and played lots of sports including football, track and even the swim team, graduating in 1950. Always an active person, it's no surprise that he ended up loving bootcamp for the same reasons. He furthered his education later on by completing an AA degree in government management at Golden West College. Being enlisted into the US Marine Corps directly out of high school is a big commitment and requires a lot of maturity which is exactly what he had, considering his father and brothers had been in the service as well. “I was ready to go, my mind was in tune with what I was doing, so no problem, learning what I could about my future.”
Joining the Marines straight out of high school meant you had to grow up quickly because serving your country was no joke, having family members go through the service and knowing that it was a duty to America helped prepare him for it. Bootcamp was a joy and seemingly easy, so Bill was deployed into Korea very quickly, by 1951. He held many different positions while in the service, but his MOS was tanks, starting out as an 18-11 but becoming an 18-14. “I did everything, I’ve been a DI, a Tank Leader, Instructor...I used to teach teach teach!” Mostly teaching weapons and tanks, as those are areas he was strong and well equipt for. He became a devoted Christian after enduring a life threatening incident that earned him the Purple Heart, while in Korea. Driving tanks, an M4A3EA model from WWII, was his job at the time, with three crew members with him. They were on a mission to tow away another tank stranded on a minefield, a group of engineers had come to inspect the area and clear it of any mines that might blow up. Once the call was given that it was clear they went and attached themselves to the broken tank and started the journey back through the minefield, only one problem...there were still mines ready to explode, and unfortunately their tank was hit very badly. Bill was in a daze and unconscious so he was immediately taken to the infirmary to be treated for PTSD and TBI, also known as Traumatic Brain Injury. Three weeks later he returned to Bravo company to see the wreckage and saw that a huge piece of metal from the floor of the tank had been pushed up right where he had been sitting while driving the tank and if he had been sitting no less than two inches back, his spine would’ve been severed and he would’ve been killed instantly. “I have to thank God that I’m alive.”
He then learned that his crew members had been badly injured and killed. One man, Comanche Markle had such severe compound fractures that he passed away along with another member named Sergeant Burke who died from TBI. The commander of the tank, Sergeant Bolt, also suffered having a leg cut off in the accident. In an incident such as this one it made him really look at his life from a new perspective and truly value the gift of living.
After 24 years of serving he earned many awards and ribbons, some of which he is extremely proud of! These include; the Purple Heart, Presidential unit Citation, Good Conduct for 20+ years along with Silver Stars for each time he was awarded with it, National Defense Ribbon, and a Ribbon showing he was in Korea. Bill retired from the Marines and began a whole new chapter of his life. Previously, while being in the embassy in Bolivia, some friends set up a blind date for him. Little did he know that she was to be his wife! They were later married and had 4 children together. Eventually they were able to settle down and own land in Bolivia, it was described as the most beautiful and relaxing days of his life! Though his wife, Maria Antonietta Malan De McInroe, had a heart condition that made some things a bit more difficult they managed to still live life beautifully by raising coffee, owning horses, and being part of the Bolivian culture after Bill officially retired. Maria was described to be the most gorgeous woman and it still amazes him that he married her, she passed away roughly thirteen years ago but she will always be in his heart. From all the most memorable experiences in his lifetime, it made him a devoted Christian and allows him to show others his experiences. He teaches a Bible study class every Wednesday morning at a Methodist church in Riverside, California where he now resides with his daughter Lorraine.
Bill McInroe is an inspiration and emulates how a Marine should act while serving America. After serving so many terms in the Marines he truly understands what it takes to be one, and learned it at a young age. As someone who completed so many big accomplishments and went through so many unforgettable experiences, he became a someone his kids could look up too...someone that is an inspiration to many others. A few things that he likes to live by are what he called the, “3 C’s - Character, Combat, and Communication” along with the, “3 F’s - Fair, Firm, and Friendly (Fun)” because they are key attributes that any good person should attain. Though he lives with the heartbreak, images of his fellow Marines passing away, seeing the despair that sometimes comes with being in the service, he does not let it hinder the mindset and attributes he developed. He looks at it in a positive way, as a learning experience, a way to teach other how to value life, and that itself shows the humble, courageous, sincere man he came to be. “Hardship, Sacrifice, Honor, and Duty.” Bill McInroe shows America what a US Marine, truly is.