For extraordinary heroism in action at Bellieu Bois, France, 27 October 1918. After being wounded Lieutenant McClure continued to lead his men until he was again wounded by enemy machine-gun fire in the foot and knee. Despite his wounds he reorganized his command and established a line of resistance, retaining active command until relieved by another officer several hours later.[4]
Interbellum
Remaining in the army following the end of the war, McClure spent from 1927 to 1933 in Tianjin, China with the 15th Infantry Regiment, becoming fluent in Chinese. One of his fellow officers was Albert Coady Wedemeyer, under whom he would serve during the latter stages of World War II. He entered the U.S. Army War College in 1938, where he made the acquaintance of MajorJ. Lawton Collins, an instructor at the college at the time. After graduation, McClure then spent time on the staff of the 25th Infantry Division as divisional G-4 (handling logistics and supply).[2]
In November 1944, McClure returned to China to act as chief of staff to Albert Coady Wedemeyer, his former comrade from the 15th Infantry Regiment. Wedemeyer had replaced GeneralJoe Stilwell as commander of United States forces in China. Shortly after his arrival in China, McClure was sent into the field and made commander of Chinese Combat Command, remaining in this capacity until the end of the war in 1945. [2][5] He was twice awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his services during the war.[6]
In the immediate postwar period he remained in China training Kuomintang guerillas before being transferred to a post on the Marianas Islands.[7]
The division, previously part of IX Corps, was redeployed to X Corps and now came under the jurisdiction of Major General Edward Almond, the corps commander.[9] Almond began to be critical of McClure's leadership, citing a "lack of supervision" in reports back to Lieutenant GeneralMatthew Ridgway, then commanding the Eighth Army. After a period of refitting, the division was ordered to Wonju, which had been deemed by Ridgway to be "second only to Seoul" in tactical importance. During the battle for Wonju, McClure found his position to be increasingly indefensible especially when flanking South Korean troops were overrun by the North Korean People's Army. He ordered his division to withdraw to a position much farther to the rear than agreed upon by Almond, who was angered by McClure's disobedience.[10] After little more than a month as divisional commander, McClure was relieved of his command on the grounds of "poor leadership". He was replaced as commander of the division by Major General Clark L. Ruffner, in a move endorsed by Ridgeway.[11]
Later life
Following his dismissal, McClure commanded the 6th Infantry Division, which was then based at Fort Ord in California. McClure retired from the army in 1954, after 37 years service.[12] In 1956, he was awarded his third Distinguished Service Medal for services during the Cold War.[6] He died on September 15, 1973, on his 77th birthday, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia.[13]
