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By Barbara Gleason, DS Public Affairs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The following is the fourth in a series of profiles about Bureau \nof Diplomatic Security employees, contractors, military personnel, and \nhost nation security personnel who lost their lives providing a secure \nenvironment for the conduct of American diplomacy. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently, 137 individuals have made the ultimate sacrifice in the\n line of duty throughout the Bureau\u2019s 100-year history. They are honored\n on the Diplomatic Security Memorial at DS headquarters in Arlington, \nVirginia. For more information, visit <\/em>www.dsmemorial.state.gov<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On Cockrell Road in Manassas, Virginia, a small building houses the \nRobert V. McMaugh Memorial American Legion Post 10. With American and \nPOW\/MIA flags flying high above it, Post 10 and its members serve as a \nliving tribute to a young Marine who died more than three decades \nearlier at his post during the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, \nApril 18, 1983.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The terrorist attack against the U.S. Embassy took place six months \nbefore the Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 U.S. \nservice personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cpl. Robert McMaugh was 21 years old when the blast from an \nexplosives-loaded van took his life as he stood guard inside the front \nentrance of the embassy. He was one of 63 people killed in the embassy \nbombing and the seventh Marine Security Guard (MSG) worldwide to die in \nthe line of duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Retired DSS Special Agent Richard Gannon, who was the Embassy Beirut \nregional security officer (RSO) at the time of the bombing, recalled the\n Marine Security Guards being a special breed. \u201cThey are assigned to \nserve apart from the main body of the Corps often in remote and \ndangerous locations. To be effective, they must recognize a role in \nsupporting diplomacy yet still maintain physical toughness, discipline, \nand attention to detail,\u201d said Gannon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCpl. McMaugh combined those qualities with an engaging \npersonality\u2014an ability to carry out his security responsibilities in a \nmanner that spoke to his professionalism and concern for the welfare of \nthe embassy staff,\u201d said Gannon. \u201cHe was equally comfortable discussing \nthe latest movie, sports results, or local political developments.\u201d He \nadded women thought Cpl. McMaugh was a charmer\u2014\u201cpoised, confident, and \njust fun to be around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile we might recall his wonderful sense of humor, hearty laugh, \nand great stories,\u201d said Gannon, \u201che will always be remembered first as a\n U.S. Marine who did his duty and served his country in an exceptionally\n challenging environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shortly after Cpl. McMaugh\u2019s death, hundreds of mourners attended a \nmemorial service near his home in Manassas. In attendance were his \nmother, Annie (who passed away in 2004); his father, Earl; brother, \nMichael; and two sisters, Teresa and Cherie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the service, a mile-long procession of mourners left Manassas \nfor a second memorial service at Fort Myer where he would be interred \nwith military honors in Arlington Cemetery. As the police-escorted \nprocession passed through his hometown, the people of Manassas stopped \nwhat they were doing and lined the shoulders of the road in respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A contingent of about 150 Marines, led by the Marine Corps \nCommandant, paid last respects during the service at Fort Myer. Navy \nChaplain James Mennis delivered the eulogy, praising Cpl. McMaugh for \nexecuting his military duties faithfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe gave his life willingly,\u201d said Chaplain Mennis. \u201cHe was on duty \nat his post as he ought to have been. For all of us, that is all that \ncan be asked\u2014no more can be expected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 1980 graduate of Osbourn High School in Manassas, Cpl. McMaugh \njoined the Marines a few months later. After spending time doing \naircraft recovery in California, he volunteered to become an MSG, \ncompleted MSG school in Quantico, Virginia, and was sent to Beirut, his \nfirst MSG post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His father, Earl McMaugh, remembers Bobby, as he is called by his \nfamily, as \u201chappy, competitive, loved helping out, always wanted the \n\u2018best\u2019 of everything, loved being a Marine, and loved\u2014and was\/is loved \nby\u2014his brother, sisters, and parents.\u201d He described his son as athletic,\n loving sports, and lettering in soccer, football, and basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Date:](\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/img\/16\/65462\/Memorial_775px_600_1.jpg\")
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