Be Bold: How a Marine Corps Hero Broke Barriers for Women at War

by Tom Sileo

Major Megan McClung is the first female United States Naval Academy graduate to be killed in action since the school’s 1845 founding and the highest-ranking female U.S. Marine Corps officer to die during the Iraq war. Be Bold is Megan’s inspirational story of defying steep odds, making the ultimate sacrifice, and paving the way for a new era of women at war.

Genres: Military Fiction

184 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2022

About the author

Tom Sileo is the author of BE BOLD (Fidelis, 2022) and co-author of BROTHERS FOREVER (Hachette, 2014), FIRE IN MY EYES (Hachette, 2016), 8 SECONDS OF COURAGE (Simon & Schuster, 2017) and THREE WISE MEN (St. Martin's Press, 2021). He is represented by the WordServe Literary agency. Tom is a contributing senior editor of The Stream and recipient of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation's General Oliver P. Smith Award. He lives in Florida.

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan McClung broke down barriers from a young age for not just accepting to be put in a mold, and this continued throughout her too short life. She was a very spirited and determined person, and through struggles in her personal and professional life, persevered to be the best she could be. Although she struggled through her time at Annapolis, she became a real warrior when it was time to serve in war zones where she flourished under the pressures associated with deployment and left her mark wherever she went. She never served in a combat role, but as a Public Affairs Officer that put her on the frontlines as is evident with her death, becoming the first female Naval Academy graduate to be killed in action. She broke down many barriers in the armed forces of America for women, not with her words, but with her actions that earned her the respect she deserved by her male colleagues, time and again.

I am a massive fan of Tom Sileo's work, but this is my least favorite one so far and I think this is because I have recently read the book about Shannon Kent who served with special operation command and was also killed in action, which is just a step above this one for me. Still highly recommended reading.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Bold is a truly inspirational story about a woman who seemed larger than life. Her dedication to everything she did is a model to everyone that is in search of their goals. With Megan’s story, we are shown that nothing is impossible.

[Lauren O’Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Wonderful story of resilience and courage about Megan McClung, a public affairs officer in the Marines, a marathon runner and triathlete who deployed during the Iraq war. Her life was cut short at just 34 in Ramadi, but she made an incredible impact on the lives she touched. “Be bold, be brief, be gone” became one of her mantras and it’s certainly one to live by. Megan’s life was one of faith in God and service to others and our country. Thank you, Megan. Gifted to me by my husband ❤️

[Jer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story, albeit one that feels a touch airbrushed (her husband’s name not even being mentioned is notable), the main takeaway for me (other than that sexist rules around military service continue to be stupid) is that anyone with the passion and drive to serve can make a difference.

While I did not know her name prior in the same way as other women who have since died in combat, I am proud to live in a country where her sacrifice and persistence is honored.

[Garry Yuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan was truly special

I was Megan’s gymnastics coach at Annapolis for her Plebe year and part of her Youngster year! She was an amazing young lady! I’m so glad to know her whole story now. Tom Sileo did a great job writing this book and the narration was excellent as well.