Editors Note – This is reposted from RangerUp (with permission) and was written by Lex McMahon, son of Ed McMahon, pictured below receiving his father’s flag
How does a son say goodbye to his father? While this is a profoundly painful question to ponder, in this instance, the answer is really very simple – by honoring my father’s request to be buried and celebrated as a great Marine.
To Ed’s millions of fans around the world, he was an entertainment icon who’s brilliant and colorful career spanned some 70 years and included work as a bingo caller in a traveling carnival – yes, that’s right, Ed spoke Carnie. Ed also worked in radio, theater, movies, and of course television. Ed was the quintessential pitchman – selling everything from the famous Morris Metric Slicer to Budweiser Beer and even some of Mr. Carson’s jokes that didn’t always work as planned. In Ed’s words: “jokesters joke, actors act, entertainers entertain”. Ed was a consummate entertainer.
However, those who knew Ed best knew that while he loved being an entertainer, he truly loved being a Marine.
Ed’s Marine Corps career began during World War II and lasted 23 years. At the end of it all, Ed was promoted to Colonel – he considered this to be one of the greatest accomplishments of his life; amazing when you consider the body of his work.
Over the years, Ed told me that he wanted to be remembered as: “a good entertainer, but a great Marine!” Considering Ed was an entertainment giant, this speaks volumes in regards to his love of the Marine Corps, with its inherent brotherhood and Corps values of respect, honor, and integrity – the defining elements of Ed’s character.
A few of the notable highlights of Ed’s service in and life-long involvement with the United States Marine Corps include:
- Eating powder eggs during Officers Candidates School – even though they were billeted on a farm with hundreds of chickens – some things in the Corps never change!
- Being commissioned as a 2nd Lt.
- Being made a flight instructor while still in flight school.
- Earning his Naval Aviator wings on 4/4/44.
- Flying the hottest fighter in WWII – the F4U-Corsair.
- Being placed in hack for conducting “training missions” over his girlfriend’s house.
- Becoming a test pilot.
- Being placed in hack for conducting “training missions” over his girlfriend’s house again.
- Teaching carrier landings.
- And yes, being placed in hack for flying “training missions” over his girlfriend’s house AGAIN.
- Telling NBC he’d love to sign a big contract to be their next star– but he had just received orders to report to Korea.
- Meeting Marilyn Monroe prior to deploying to Korea and having her impishly tell him: “Ed, I’m not wearing anything underneath”.
- Flying 85 combat missions in Korea as an artillery spotter – Ed earned six Air Medals for his tenacity and proficiency at closing with and destroying the enemy.
- Cornering the market on food and alcohol by becoming his squadron’s Officer-in-Charge of the Mess Tent and Officer’s Club.
- The 3-day long party in Tent 7 with 55 gallon drums of “truce juice” when the armistice was signed.
- Participation in creating the Toys for Tots program.
- Being promoted to Colonel.
- Promoting his son to the rank of Corporal.
- Passing a flight physical at age 70 and flying the Harrier Jump Jet.
- Working with The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation to cement the legacy and traditions of Marine Corps Aviation.
- And being Major General Lenhert’s Guest of Honor at the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Ball in 2005 – Sir, he had tremendous respect for you and was humbled to be your guest of honor.
Colonel Edward Leo McMahon – Dad – on behalf of a grateful nation, fiercely loyal United States Marine Corps, assembled friends, loving family, and me – a devoted son – it is the highest honor of my life, to fulfill your request to be buried as a Marine. I wish you Godspeed, as you pull chalks and embark on one last mission in your Corsair – destined for the final rally point– Valhalla – warrior heaven. I salute you!
Semper Fi, Ed!
What a fantastic eulogy, from one Marine to another.
Sadly none of those in our MSM bothered to report any of this. The pedophile was just too important a story to their feeble little minds.
God speed Ed.
I agree with HR on the previous comment.
***sharp salute***
I know we have another brother guarding the streets of heaven. RIP
Ed gets 5 minutes
The Michael Jackson Marathon has had over a week 24/7.
Sad commentary.
@Old Trooper:
At least he will be in our hearts forever. Here’s to you Ed, and to all your brothers and sisters. “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
to previous posters–That’s the MSM for you–24/7 devoted to that poor soul; nothing mentioned about our Marines slogging through Afghanistan; nothing about Ed McMahon’s service to the Country. Semper Fi Colonel McMahon!!!
Beautifully ironic, another devil dog in heaven. Semper fi!
Semper Fi, Ed!
You will be missed.
Colonel McMahon, I am proud to salute you.
Great men may not always get the recognition they deserve but he will be fondly remembered by those of us that really care.
Thank you Col. McMahon, for your service to this nation.
Semper Fi.
MGySgt, USMC (Ret)
PS
I also want to thank Lex McMahon for his service.
Having been born in Nebraska, I was brought up watching the Tonight show with Col McMahon being Johnny Carson’s side kick.
I remember once when Johnny was on vacation (which was often) and Jerry Lewis was the guest host. They bring out Dean Martin, total suprise for Lewis as they were not on the best of terms. The meeting was short and cordial. When Martin left Lewis said “I’ll never work with that drunk again”, where as Ed McMahon responded “Why not? Your working with this one” (meaning himself and the jokes on the show about his ability to to drink others under the table.)
A great man, a great warrior, a great American. We will miss him.
That was very moving and beautiful. Thanks for posting this.
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