Marion M. Magruder
| Marion M. "Black Mac" Magruder | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Black Mac |
| Born |
June 27, 1911 Lexington, Kentucky |
| Died | June 27, 1997 (aged 86) Paradise Valley, Arizona |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1936–1961 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Commands held |
VMF(N)-533 Marine Aircraft Group 53 Marine Aircraft Group 31 Marine Aircraft Group 11 Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit Air Medal with Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with One Bronze Star American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Bronze Star American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal |
Marion Milton Magruder (June 27, 1911 – June 27, 1997) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps, and a pioneer in Radar Intercept Night Fighting. He was the first commanding officer of Marine aircraft squadron VMF(N)-533, then known as "Black Mac's Killers" [1], and led that squadron during the Battle of the Marshall Islands and Battle of Okinawa in World War II.
Magruder was born to William Marion Magruder and Augusta Tong Magruder of 456 Rose Lane, Lexington, Kentucky. He was the third of four children; his siblings were Aliene, Eldon and Jane Magruder. He graduated with Honors from the University of Kentucky on May 22, 1936 with a B.A. in Psychology. He was the undefeated Golden Gloves Welter Weight Boxing Champion of the University of Kentucky, a member of the Sword and Scabbard Military Fraternity and a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. The Governor of Kentucky commissioned him a Kentucky colonel and the Mayor of Lexington presented him with the ‘Key to the City of Lexington.’
After graduating from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at the University of Kentucky, Magruder accepted an officer's commission in the United States Marine Corps on July 1, 1936, becoming a Second Lieutenant. On July 5, 1938, Magruder reported for Flight School at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. After graduating as Naval Aviator #6008, he was promoted to First Lieutenant. Magruder was assigned to squadron VMF-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico, Virginia. He was promoted to Captain in 1940. In the Spring of 1941 he became Assistant Material Officer, Division of Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. In August 1942 Magruder was promoted to major.
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