Lieutenant Colonel Michael Erich McLaughlin served with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for more than 23 years. He was born in Munich, Germany, and later moved to Tionesta, Pennsylvania. He graduated from West Forest Hill High School in June 1980. He began his military career when he received his commission as a second lieutenant through Clarion University in May of 1982. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management and Engineering, and a master’s degree in Business Administration. As a civilian, McLaughlin was a businessman and private contractor in Mercer, PA. LTC McLaughlin’s awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Combat Action Badge, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), the National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” Device and Silver Hourglass), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, the Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal, the Pennsylvania Service Ribbon (with Numeral 2), the Pennsylvania 20 Year Medal, the MG T. R. White Medal, the GEN T.J. Stewart Medal, and the Field Artillery Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
LTC McLaughlin deployed to the Al-Anbar Providence, Iraq, in July 2005 as the brigade effects coordinator for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on January 5, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq while serving with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He was the first officer and the 30th Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldier to die in action since World War II.
