Lee Rodrick McClelland

Lee Rodrick McClelland’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Lee R. McClelland (ASN: 1870896), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 371st Infantry Regiment (Attached), 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ardeuil, France, 30 September 1918. While administering first-aid treatment to wounded soldiers on the field Sergeant McClelland received a painful wound on the leg, but without mentioning his injury he remained on duty caring for the wounded under shell fire until the regiment was relieved.

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 22 February 1893, Laurinburg, NC, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 27 September 1924 Scotland County, NC, United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Sergeant
  • Company: [MC]
  • Infantry Regiment: 371st
  • Division: 93rd

Personal Narrative

Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Lee Rodrick McClelland was born to Neil (1858-1923) and Mariah (Campbell) (1864-1941) on 22 February, 1893 in Laurinburg, Scotland County, North Carolina, the third of seven children, Duncan, 1886-1961, Rhetta, (1889-?), John A., (1896-1948), Lenora, (1897-?), Will, (1899-?), Louise, (1903-?), and Ira, (1910-?).

Born on the family farm, Lee assisted with agricultural work during his youth. In his teenaged years, Lee was employed as a clerk in a billiard parlor and attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, for 3 years.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Lee enlisted in the United States Army in Asheville, North Carolina, on February 18, 1918, and was placed in the 371st Infantry Regiment’s Sanitary Detachment- 186th Brigade, later the 371st Infantry Regiment’s Medical Detachment. Private McClelland and his Company left Newport News, Virginia aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship President Grant on 7 April, 1918, arriving in Brest, France, on 13 April, 1918. Then-Sergeant McClelland received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Ardeuil, France on 30 September, 1918;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Lee R. McClelland (ASN: 1870896), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 371st Infantry Regiment (Attached), 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ardeuil, France, 30 September 1918. While administering first-aid treatment to wounded soldiers on the field Sergeant McClelland received a painful wound on the leg, but without mentioning his injury he remained on duty caring for the wounded under shell fire until the regiment was relieved”, Awarded DSC by CG, AEF, December 10, 1918, Published in G.O. No. 46, WD, 1919.

Sergeant McClelland was treated for a shrapnel wound on his left leg below the knee in a regimental hospital near the Champagne Front, France. Sergeant McClelland and his Company left Brest, France for the United States on the U.S. Army Transport Ship U.S.S. Leviathan on 3 February, 1919, arriving on 10 February, 1919. Sergeant McClelland was Honorably Discharged at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, on 4 March, 1919.

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Lee married Hessie (?-?, unknown maiden name) sometime between 1910 and 1920; he worked as a porter at Mountain Meadows Inn, Asheville, North Carolina, and trained to be a Pullman porter and mechanic. Lee died on 27 September, 1924, the result of homicide; he had no children.