Megan McClung was born on April 14, 1972, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1991, and was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 31, 1995. Lt McClung attended the Basic School at Quantico, Virginia, from August 1995 to March 1996, followed by Public Affairs Officer School at Fort Meade, Maryland, from March to May 1996. Her first assignment was as a public affairs officer with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, from June 1996 to May 1998, and then as a series commander and special projects officer with Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, from May 1998 to September 2000. Capt McClung's next assignment was as a public affairs officer with the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, from September 2000 until she left active duty and joined the Marine Corps Reserve on January 1, 2003. She returned to active duty as a public affairs officer at MCAS Cherry Point from April 1 to September 23, 2003, and again from October 1, 2003, to February 17, 2004. During this time she completed the Amphibious Warfare School in November 2003. Capt McClung served on active duty from June 1 to October 24, 2005, and was then activated for service in Iraq on January 23, 2006. She served as a public affairs officer with I Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq from February 2006 until she was killed in action from an improvised explosive device on December 6, 2006. Maj McClung was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Her Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

For meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations involving conflict with an opposing force while serving as Public Affairs Officer, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) from 24 February to 6 December 2006 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Exhibiting tactical flexibility, initiative, resourcefulness and expert communications skill, Major McClung provided support to each Line of Operation in the Al Anbar campaign, which had strategic-level effect on the mission. Through keen understanding in the areas of governance, economics, security, and transition, she adroitly communicated the command's efforts in these areas to major media outlets. Displaying the utmost adaptability, Major McClung was assigned as the Public Affairs officer of the Multi National Force-West main effort in Ramadi, where she built and led a joint Marine and Army public affairs team in less than 2 months time that responded to more than 30 media queries and managed a media embed program of more than 23 reporters. She conducted the public affairs planning for multiple, critical events such as incursions into a local hospital and multiple mosques. Major McClung escorted media throughout the provincial capitol of Ramadi at great personal danger, providing superior public affairs support to the provincial governor and the Iraqi Security Forces. On 6 December, while traveling through the dangerous streets of Ramadi on a Public Affairs escort, Major McClung was mortally wounded in an improvised explosive device attack on her vehicle. Major McClung's total effectiveness, forceful leadership, and loyal dedication to duty reflected great credit upon her and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.