Edward McBride was born on December 20, 1930, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force on April 16, 1952, and was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings on June 16, 1953. After completing pilot training, McBride served at Itazuke AB, Japan. He next served with the 16th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Naha AB, Okinawa, from February 1959 to September 1961, and then with the 325th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Truax Field, Wisconsin, from September 1961 to May 1964. Captain McBride next transitioned into the T-28 Trojan and flew with the 605th Air Commando Squadron out of Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone, from May 1964 to August 1968. Major McBride began flying combat missions with the classified RAVEN FACs over Laos in August 1968, and he was killed in action on November 27, 1968. Edward McBride's body was returned to the United States and he was buried in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. During his Air Force career, Major McBride flew the F-86 Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger, T-28 Trojan, U-10 Courier, and O-1 Bird Dog. Edward married Helen Giraldo of Bogota, Colombia, on September 13, 1953, and they had two children-Becky and John. McBride Library on Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi is named in his honor.

His 2nd Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads:

Major Edward E. McBride distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller in Southeast Asia from 4 September 1968 to 27 November 1968. During this period, Major McBride flew many hazardous missions over extensive hostile areas seeking lucrative targets and striking them with available resources in an effort to reduce hostile pressure. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major McBride reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.