World War II
In 1938, while pursuing a career in business, McLain, rosing to the rank of Brigadier General of Oklahoma National Guard, attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. After graduating he was posted to the 45th Infantry Division as a Assistant Chief of Staff.
In September 1940, he was recalled to the active duty and was appointed as a commander of 45th Infantry Division Artillery.
During World War II, he commanded the 45th Infantry Division Artillery in Sicily, where he earned the first of two Distinguished Service Crosses. At Normandy in 1944, McLain took command of the troubled 90th Infantry Division, transformed it into a first-class fighting formation, and led it across France. He then assumed command of the XIX Corps, becoming the only guardsman to command a corps in combat.
For his distinguished service, he was appointed a Regular Army brigadier general, the first guardsman so honored. Later, he became the first Comptroller of the Army. At the time of his death in 1954 he was serving on President Dwight Eisenhower's National Security Training Commission. He died at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D. C. on December 14, 1954.
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