Olga MacLean

Olga at the Oktoberfest

Olga (left with large beer mug) at the Oktoberfest. Olga can make friends with anybody. Many were the times that she has taken the spouses on various excursions away from a battlefield visit. These side trips usually involved excellent food and out-of-the-way shopping opportunities. On the Fifth Field research trip to France in September 2012, she took the lead in numerous French villages and was so outgoing that at every stop, people were happy to help us find obscure crime scenes.

Olga at the OktoberfestThe Fifth Field2015-09-11T11:48:52-05:00

My Better Half

No, that’s not correct; Olga is my better 90%. Here, Captain MacLean is on an Army deployment as the Personnel Officer (S-1) for an engineer mission to build a road through the mountains in Honduras in 1986-1987. She has traveled all over the world, speaks several languages and is a real hoot, when visiting old battlefields. I have lost track of how many hidden German bunkers she found in the Hürtgen Forest, or a particular grave in a cemetery.

My Better HalfThe Fifth Field2015-09-11T11:50:04-05:00

Retiring on Last Stand Hill

Rather than retire in Washington, Olga (center, front) organized a visit of “Last Stand Hill” at the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Joining us were (from left) Lou DiMarco, Marv Decker, Mike Mahon, French, Hank Adams, Joyce DiMarco and Jack Pattison. With the exception of Mike, all of us were Army officers. Hank’s father had been on “Heartbreak Ridge” in the Korean War; Mike was my National War College classmate and later made Rear Admiral! We also went on a four-hour horse ride of the battlefield in 100° heat – with a big Jacuzzi and cold beer afterward at the motel.

Retiring on Last Stand HillThe Fifth Field2015-09-11T11:54:16-05:00