Clarence "Mac" Leonard McDaniel

Clarence L. McDaniel, Captain, United States Navy, Ret. Mac was born on November 26, 1928, in Goodland, Kansas, where he lived until age three. Age 3 to 9: Lived on a farm 17.5 miles NE of Goodland, KS. Farm chores included picking cherries, shelling peas and digging potatoes, and herding milk cows from the pasture. Age 5: Attended 1st grade at Edson, KS, eight miles from the farm. The bus, with a teenage farm boy driver, arrived at 7:30 AM and returned at 4:30 PM. 1935: One fateful day, Western Kansas suffered a severe dirt storm. The school bus was diverted to a farmer’s house for shelter, and the children spent the night there. 1938: The family moved to the town of Goodland, where Mac graduated from grade school, second in the class standing. He played base horn in the concert and marching band(s); played on the basketball team which placed second in a tournament. 1942: Attended Sherman Community High School and was class President twice. Mac also acted in five school plays. Father Floyd, purchased a gas station while mom, Ruth, was the bookkeeper. At age 14, Mac drove the truck to deliver gas to the local farmers, some of them 15 to 20 miles from town. The delivery truck was a 1929 Chevrolet with a stick shift. 1946: The High School basketball team won the Northwest Kansas tournament, but was eliminated at the state tournament. Mac was selected as an Honorable Mention All State player. Mac graduated from Sherman Community High School. July 1946: At age 17, Mac delivered 600 gallons of gasoline to a farm eight miles from town: It was a warm July day in Kansas. The farmer’s tank was 10 feet above the ground. The gasoline was pumped through a hose from the truck by a small Briggs and Stratton motor, on the side of the truck. The hose connection had a bad gasket, causing gasoline to leak on to the pumping motor. When Mac started the motor, there was a flash of fire and within seconds the entire truck was on fire. In addition, the farmer’s tank was on fire and fell to the ground and created an explosion. Mac was standing near the pump on the truck and was blown off the truck, but remained conscious. Mac then ran to the farmer’s house (about 200 yards away) and broke a window to get to the phone. He called his dad, who in turn, called the town’s fire department. By the time they arrived, the fire was out of control. There was farm equipment near the gasoline tank and Mac started a tractor and pulled the equipment away from the fire. It was quite a day for a 17-year-old recent high school grad. 1946: Mac enrolled at Colorado A & M, in Fort Collins, Colorado (now Colorado State), on a basketball scholarship. He played bass horn in the ROTC marching and concert bands. He also played 1st base on the fast pitch softball team named “Seagram’s KI,” that went undefeated for two years. March, 1948: Mac’s basketball scholarship came to an end after an accident on the parallel bars in the school gym, which broke Mac’s jaw. He returned home to Kansas. April, 1948: Mac enrolled at Ft. Hays, Kansas State Teachers College and attained a BS Degree in Education. He authored a book entitled, “Helps Book for the High School Teacher.” Mac was employed at a gas station during the week and on Sundays. He also waited tables at a local diner. 1950: Graduation at last. He was employed with Dowell Chemical Company in Hays, Kansas. His wage was 80 cents an hour, with time & a half for overtime. That first week, Mac logged 80 hours. Much to his surprise, his mom sent him a US Army draft notice. Mac drove to a US Naval Air Station, Olathe, KS, in his 1936 Pontiac, and enlisted in the Navy Air Corp. for four years. He later received a discharge in the mail, due to his blood pressure. Subsequently, he received notice to report for his physical for the US Army, at Dodge City, KS. While waiting for the call from the Army, Mac drove a semi-trailer gasoline transport hauling gas from Cheyenne, WY to Western Kansas. On December 28th, Mac enlisted in the US Navy for four years, in Denver. CO. 1950: As a Sergeant in the Army ROTC at Ft. Collins, Mac was placed in charge of 17 young recruits for transit to the Naval Training Center, on a train. They left in the evening and arrived the next morning in sunny San Diego. Ten weeks later, Mac completed recruit training along with 80 in the company, where he served as Recruit Commander. Ironically, 20 years later, Mac returned to take a command at NTC. 1951: While stationed in San Diego, assigned to the USS Higbee, DDR806, he worked as a mess cook and desk duty, typing ships logs. After 1 year, Mac attended Officers Candidate School in Newport, RI. 1952: Mac served on the USS Stembel, DD644, stationed in San Diego, and was deployed to Korea twice, serving as the Damage Control Officer and Electrical Officer. 1954: Mac was assigned to the 13th Naval District Reserve Electronics Group, Inspector of Reserve Electronic Stations in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washington. He was also the Officer in Charge and Instructor at the Reserve Officer Tactical School in Seattle, WA. He wrote the curriculum for the school & received a letter of commendation. 1958: Mac served as the Aide and Flag Secretary to an Admiral, who was Commander of Destroyer Flotilla 3, Long Beach, CA. 1958-1960: He was assigned to the USS Savage, DER386, as Executive Officer, located in Seattle and Hawaii, & included operations in the Aleutians. 1961: Assigned to the Anti-Submarine Warfare School (ASW) as an Instructor and Operations Officer in San Diego, CA., he was officer is charge of the presentation, “Challenge From Below”, that provided information to civilians describing threat of submarines. 1961-1962: Assigned to the Joint ASW Command as an Instructor and Liaison for the US and Royal Navy, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. 1963: Assigned to the USS Wiltsie, DD761, as Executive Officer. He completed two tours of duty in the Western Pacific in Vietnam. 1965 – 1966: Attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. He received a Masters equivalent in Economics. 1966 – 1967: Assigned to the Pentagon as a staff officer for the Chief of Naval Operations. His duties included briefing Officers regarding Naval Assignments of Flag Officers. 1968: Attended Naval War College, Senior Course, Newport, RI. He received a Masters equivalent in International Relations. 1969-1970: Commanding Officer of the USS John A. Bole, DD755, stationed in San Diego, CA and deployed to Vietnam waters for eight months. Mac was awarded the Bronze Star for action against the enemy. 1970: Assigned to the Nuclear Weapons Training Group, Pacific, as an Instructor, Coronado, CA. 1972 – 1974: Assigned to the Pentagon, Washington, DC. Mac served as an Action Officer in the Plans and Policy Directorate J-5, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He wrote briefings and talking points papers for Staff Officers concerning Laos. Mac traveled to Vientiane, Laos, to confer with the US Ambassador. 1975: In January, Mac assumed the duties of Chief Staff Officer to the Commander, Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA. 1976: Mac took command of the Service School, at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA. 1977: Mac retired from active service. During his career, he had the following awards: • China Service Medal • National Defense Service Medal (1 star) • Korean Service Medal (2 stars) • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal • Vietnam Service Medal (4 stars) • United Nations Service Medal • Korean Presidential Unit Citation • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device (1960-) • Bronze Star Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” • Meritorious Service Medal (with Gold Star) Subsequent to his military retirement on 27 years, Mac was in insurance sales for 40 years with the New York Life Insurance Company, where he qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table 10 years. In 1972 Mac married the former Lynda (Lyn) Hayes of San Diego, CA. He has two daughters Wendy Burke & Traci Delson, and a son, Kelly McDaniel, seven grandchildren, & a great-grandson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory to: Shriners Hospital for Children 844-739-0849 https://www.shrinershospitalsfor children.org/ or Mac McDaniel Memorial Friends of the Rancho San Diego Library. 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019 Contact: Sherry Johnson 619-670-5650 Please click on link below to view “Mac McDaniel My Story” https://www.picaboo.com/?share=c1b4da8c45423b72664755b5517bf86a&version=832796&siteID=ViaPreview&utm_source=trg&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=shareproj