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Captain <em>Marlin Eugene McCahan</em> led a distinctive and dignified course in civilian life as student, as citizen, and as trusted friend. In his short military career he aspired not to the heroic, nor to excite wonder, or strive for dramatic effect. His heroism lay in duty courageously met, orders unreservedly fulfilled, consequences nobly accepted, and honors humbly shared. And when the summons came on that fateful day he:</div>
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<em>Wrapped the drapery of death's hcroic couch about him</em></div>
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<em>And laid down in pleasant dreams in the bivouac of the dead.</em></div>
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The following testimonials and acknowledgments attest to Gene’s excellence, to his dignity of character, and to the respect shown him by those who knew him well.</div>
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The Reverend Doctor Elias H. Phillips who knew him from infancy: “The budding promises of Captain Marlin McCahan blossomed into the excellencies of sterling character in his early youth. As a small boy, his love for the military was unmistakably evident and needed guidance into the proper channels. He was morally exemplary from his youth and earned the well-deserved commendation of being the most courteous, obliging, and reliable lad in the community. He was noble from childhood. He thought nobly, lived nobly, and died with heroic nobility for his country. He lived with merited distinction and died with honorable distinction.”</div>
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Captain Donald Reinhard, a classmate at West Point recalls: “Gene joined the rest of us in the Class of 1959 after attending a military school, so he enjoyed one slight benefit during Beast Barracks—he knew what was going on. The following four academic years were spent in a variety of activities, all designed to enliven the time until graduation. Plebe year was spent huddled in a ‘brown-boy’ over a radiator in a bitter cold room in the 20th division, managing duty rosters for Plebes and radio station KDET business for Plebe Christmas—anyone not busy was volunteered as a disc jockey or a guard. This first year set the tone for the remaining three. His natural ebulliency led him to the PIO detail, to disc-jockeying, and to broadcasting hockey games over KDET. His own recordings provided the music for the company. Gene’s forte was not academics, but his work with and love for the real goats helped many of them. Collecting information and building concise course outlines helped many classmates as well as members of succeeding classes to master the intricacies of social sciences. Gene tried to beat the system on occasion the way all cadets do, but he had the same special love for West Point that binds all graduates together.”</div>
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Richard H. Dewey, a civilian co-worker with Gene at Aberdeen Proving Ground:</div>
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“I had the pleasure of working with Gene for two years at the Army’s Human Engineering Laboratories. I admired him for his dedication to his work, for his ability and desire to carry out his assignments. He believed in maximum participation in whatever he did, whether it was work or sport. The loss of this fine officer will be felt not only by the Army but also by his many friends. As a dedicated father and husband his loss will be felt even more deeply by his family.”</div>
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Gene attended flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and Colonel James T. Burke, his class leader of OFWAC recalled: “Captain McCahan strove continually to improve and perfect his own performance, and by his example, to create the same desire for perfection in those who served with him. Despite heavy personal workloads, he was always willing to spend time and effort in achieving group objectives, often at the expense of his own requirements. He possessed all the qualifications essential to outstanding military leadership as evidenced by his own accomplishments and by the respect and loyalty his associates held for him.</div>
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“Although keenly aware of his military duties and responsibilities, he recognized the need for and the value of participation in social and reenational activities. His friendly attitude and other personal qualities made him a welcome and desired guest at any function. The Army, his family, and all his friends and associates have suffered a great loss.”</div>
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These tributes, by those who knew Gene well, testify to the manner of man he was, and to the quality of service he rendered to God, to his country, and to the world.</div>
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<em>—Patricia A. McCahan</em></div>
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