Background
McGarr was born in Yuma, Arizona on March 5, 1904, and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1928.
General inspector lieutenant commander
McGarr was born in Yuma, Arizona on March 5, 1904, and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1928.
McGarr was assistant division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division from 1945 to 1946, and he graduated from the National War College in 1947, afterwards serving in the intelligence section of the Army General Staff.
He was the last commander of Military Assistance Advisory Group – Vietnam. After receiving his commission as a second lieutenant of infantry he served in command and staff positions of increasing rank and responsibility, including assignments in Hawaii, California and Georgia. McGarr saw extensive combat in North Africa and Europe during as commander of the 30th Infantry Regiment from October 1943 to December 1944, acting assistant division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division from December 1944 to January 1945, and again commander of the 30th Infantry Regiment from January to May 1945.
In 1948 he was named commander of the 350th Infantry Regiment in Austria, in 1949 he became tactical inspector for United States. Tactical Command in Austria, and from 1950 to 1951 he was United States. Tactical Command"s chief of staff
McGarr went to of Korea as assistant division commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in 1951 and later commander of Allied Prisoner of War Command -- of Korea. From October 1953 to May 1954 he was commander of the 7th Infantry Division.
From June 1954 to June 1956 McGarr commanded the United States Army Caribbean Command. He was then appointed commandant of the Army Command and General Staff College.
In September 1960 he was promoted to lieutenant general and named commander of Military Assistance Advisory Group – Vietnam.
He served at this post until July 1962 when, against McGarr"s advice, United States. military escalation began and he was succeeded by General Paul Harkins, who commanded MAAG-V"s successor unit, Military Assistance Command - Vietnam. Citation for The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the to Lionel C. McGarr, Colonel (Infantry), United States. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 September 1944. Colonel McGarr"s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great cr upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, Seventh United States. Army, General Orders Number.
107 (1944) After leaving Vietnam McGarr retired at the Presidio, afterwards living in Lafayette, California until his death in San Francisco on November 3, 1988. He was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery, Section B, Site 1606A.