Megan McClung (MET\u201906) was a US Marine who died as a casualty of the Iraq War during a combat mission which saw her escort journalists visiting the country\u2019s Al Anbar Governorate province. A major, she was also an alum of BU MET\u2019s online master\u2019s degree in criminal justice.<\/p>\n
The first female Marine officer to be killed in action<\/a> as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, she was additionally the first female graduate of the US Naval Academy to be killed in action since the college was founded in 1845.<\/p>\n In 2007, after her passing, Megan\u2019s parents committed to keeping their daughter\u2019s name alive by establishing Metropolitan College\u2019s Megan McClung Memorial Scholarship<\/a>. The award is dedicated to online Master of Science in Criminal Justice<\/a> degree students who exemplify Megan\u2019s own strong citizenship and character, desire to make a meaningful contribution to society, and commitment to academic excellence.<\/p>\n Now, the US Navy is following suit in honoring Major McClung by naming a future class of medium landing ships for her. The first of the 18\u201335 amphibious ships\u2014which will deliver equipment and troops to, along, and back from shore\u2014will, fittingly, be dubbed the USS McClung<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Navy expects the ships to be completed and delivered in 2029.<\/p>\n