Stephen S. Mac Vean was born on January 30, 1944, to Mr. and Mrs. Homer G. Mac Vean. His father was Ridgewood Village Commissioner from May 1959 to December 1962 and was also the first mortgage banker to close a GI Loan for WWII veterans in 1945. His home of record is Hohokus, NJ.

He attended the Willard and George Washington Schools and graduate from Ridgewood High School in 1961. At Ridgeway he managed the football and track teams, was in the junior class cabinet, was chairman of the junior prom Queen and Court, senior play reading chairman, campus patrol chairman and involved in student council.

Stephen graduated from Dartmouth College in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. At Dartmouth he was a member and Vice President of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was awarded the Reed Descriptive Geography Award. He was active in ROTC and was an Inter-dormitory council member. He had enough credits to receive his master’s degree when he decided to join the service.

Mac Vean was commissioned in June 1966 and given a leave of absence to continue his studies. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Nicholas (DDE 449) for replenishment activities off the coast of Vietnam.

He enlisted in the US Navy and attained the rank of Lieutenant (LT). Mac Vean was assigned to 36th RVN Coastal Group (Soc Trang), Naval Advance Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.

Mac Vean was killed in action on October 29, 1969, as a result of gunshot wounds.

Mac Vean received numerous awards and decorations including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Mac Vean was survived by his brother, Capt. Charles R. MacVean (USN Ret.). He is buried in Plot 1693 at Valleu Cemetery.

Sources: Various websites, newspaper clippings, David Mac Vean (nephew), “At Death he was 25 years Old” by Christopher C. Stout and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024