Posted on 10/03/2018
COMMODORE CLARY "MIKE" McNEIL
Mike McNeil grew up in Virginia and North Carolina, graduating at the age of sixteen from the fifth high school he attended. He worked at the Newport News shipyard as a welder until he was old enough to enlist in the Marine Corps. During World War Two he participated in several amphibious assaults, including Saipan and Iwo Jima for which he was awarded three battle stars, three unit citations and a Purple Heart. He was selected for appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy in 1947 through nationwide competitive examination. He served in the Korean War, from the landing at Inchon to the Chosen Reservoir, and was awarded a Silver Star for action at Hagaru, along with another Purple Heart, three more battle stars and several unit citations. He was employed by Burroughs Corporation for many years, installing and servicing some of the earliest computers in North Carolina, Arizona, California and Mexico. He married Keiko Yoshimura in 1952. They made their home in Imperial. He is survived by his widow, Keiko McNeil and two daughters, Susan and Alice. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Published in Imperial Valley Press Online on Sept. 30, 2018