ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Major John Macroglou USMC, 34 years old, born on August 23, 1949, and passed away on October 23, 1983. We will remember him forever.
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
Even through death for forty years, John remains a sterling role model for me. The example that he set is one that can be aspired to but never attained by me because of my natural limitations. Semper Fi.
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
RIP Major John Macroglou, USMC, Nov.23, 1983. 
Semper Fidelis, One of our Beirut, Lebanon, Heroes.
Never Forget and Never Disrespect Our Flag.
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
I was dealing with issues regarding a seriously sick son when the barracks were destroyed and failed to recognize that John had passed. I found out later from Clay Thomas that he had passed and I had missed his funeral. On the 40th Anniversary of the incident I wanted to let those survivors know that I have thought of John continuously. I do not know if his wife is still alive but if she is I would like to would like to speak with her. In our youth we were known as Batman and Robin with me being the subordinate. The chemistry between us was absolutely perfect and I have never had the same relationship even though we were different in so many ways. If Deborah is still alive I would like to speak to her and if not perhaps Heather.
Semper Fidelis Batman
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
Forever in our hearts
NEVER Forgotten!!
Semper Fi
❤️
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
A prayer for you each day for 14,600 days. CS Lewis says mourning lasts as long as love….. I disagree. Your memory is honored each day by family and friends.
Semper Fidelis dear husband and friend.
Love, Deborah
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
Hard to believe that it's been 40 years since the bombing in Beirut took you from all who loved you. RIP, dear friend.
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
Morning Major! Well 40 years has past and I can still remember sitting in the comm shack on Camp Geiger and seeing you name come over the wire for KIA. I hope you knew how much respect I had for you as a leader and as a Marine. Just wanted to report in and let you know I was thinking of you and the other 240 lost today! I'll see you again in the halls of Valhalla! Semper Fidelis Sir!
August 24, 2023
August 24, 2023
Happy Birthday John, RIP in Heaven with your 220 Heroes.
August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023
Hardly a day goes by without John crossing my mind. He was a truly admired mentor for me and an all-around good man. It won't be long before my own tour of duty on the 'other side' begins, so maybe there's a chance for a reunion where John can spill a beer with me and we can catch up on old times.
August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023
Happy Birthday John! Gone Way Too Soon and Still Missed.
August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023
On your absolute favorite day of the year….your Birthday Wishes for a glorious day in heaven with family, friends and your beloved “hero’s”.
Semper Fidelis
Much Love….
Deborah
August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023
Happy heavenly birthday John . Forever in our hearts ❤️
November 10, 2022
November 10, 2022
Good morning john and happy birthday. I’m going to celebrate the 247th birthday with you in mind. Miss you always remember you forever never forgotten Semper Fi my brother.
October 23, 2022
October 23, 2022
Special thoughts of you this day, dearest John.
October 23, 2022
October 23, 2022
Nary a day has gone by these thirty-nine years without my respected superior, John, popping into my conscious thoughts. There likely are many others who can say the same. In that sense, he's still with us, much more than many who haven't ended their tours of duty in this life.
October 23, 2022
October 23, 2022
You will NEVER be forgotten !!!!!
Forever in our hearts ❤️
August 24, 2022
August 24, 2022
Happy heavenly birthday dear Johnny , forever in our hearts
August 23, 2022
August 23, 2022
Happy 73 birthday in Heaven John.You are forever loved and deeply missed. Until we meet. XOO Mom & Dad
August 23, 2022
August 23, 2022
Semper Fi and happy birthday devil dog!
Your morning run must have been special today with all of those birthday wishes lifting your wings as you ran!
Always missed and never forgotten, enjoy your day!
August 23, 2022
August 23, 2022
Happy, happy birthday in heaven, friend. 
August 19, 2022
August 19, 2022
My thanks to all those who have posted a Tribute in Major Macroglous honor. Johns legacy lives on in his Daughter, Heather, and Grandchildren, John and Collins Victor. His memory is eternal through his family, as well as through friends that he loved and who loved him.
Deborah (widow, Major John Macroglou, USMC)
May 31, 2022
May 31, 2022
RIP Major John Macroglou, USMC November 23,1983, Beirut, Lebanon, 220 Heroes......SEMPER FIDELIS. 

Never Forget and Never Ever Disrespect Our Flag.
May 30, 2022
May 30, 2022
Thinking of you especially today and honoring your heroic service to our country.

You who were, still are, and yet will be
To those who knew and loved you best.
Only the rest
Has ceased to be
And moved into another place and time.
May 29, 2022
May 29, 2022
John and I attend Duquesne University together. We left the same day for Parris Island for basic training. We ended up in platoon 348 and did all of our basic training together including ITR/BST at camp Lejeune.

John was the best at everything. And I knew before we ever finished ITR that he’s going to be an officer. The Marine Corps was in his blood. He helped so many young marines pass the test whether they be written or physical. He was always there for whoever needed him. I
John‘s been with me every day since 1983. He made me a better Marine and a better person. I wear Marine Corps shirts at least once a week every week in his honor. And I know someday in the future I’ll get a chance for that handshake and that hug from the Marine that I respected so much!

November 6, 2021
November 6, 2021
Your premature death -- and my ongoing life -- lend credence to the notion that only the good die young, my friend and mentor. You've not been forgotten. Semper Fi.
October 25, 2021
October 25, 2021
Thank You For Your Service, "They Came In Peace." Semper Fidelis RIP
October 24, 2021
October 24, 2021
10- 23-83   RIP Jonn  Still deeply loved & missed.  XOO Mom & Dad
August 23, 2021
August 23, 2021
Still in our thoughts John. I will raise a drink in your honor later today my friend. Semper Fidelis!
October 23, 2020
October 23, 2020
Hard to believe it’s been 37 years since the terrorist attack. Rest In Peace my brother.
April 20, 2020
April 20, 2020
My father was Major William E. Barker, and he often spoke of his friend Major Macroglou. He took me to the memorial when I was younger, and I'll never forget those engravings. Both Majors are stationed together now, for the last time. I hope my Dad gets to see his friend again.
December 5, 2019
December 5, 2019
I knew John at Barksdale AFB. He would go on a ten mile “lunch jog” and stop at my library for an intellectual conversation. I always considered him a very special combination of brain and brawn. I’m 77 now and still wear a USMC green sweatshirt in his honor when I travel in public to tell his story to others.
October 24, 2019
October 24, 2019
Forever in our hearts ♥️
NEVER FORGOTTEN
Thoughts and prayers to You AL and UB and to ALL who lost their loved ones on this horrific day
SEMPER FI
October 23, 2019
October 23, 2019
Another year has passed. Rest in peace, friend.
October 23, 2019
October 23, 2019
Still in our thoughts and in our prayers, John. You are missed. Rest in Peace my friend. Semper Fidelis, Mike
August 23, 2019
August 23, 2019
Happy Birthday, dear friend. Hard to believe we met at the William Penn 50 years ago. 
October 24, 2018
October 24, 2018
Remembering you today and the other 240 men who perished with you. As I have for 35 years. RIP Major! Semper Fi!
October 23, 2018
October 23, 2018
Never forgotten .
Thank you and your team for your ULTIMATE sacrifice.RIP Johnny
September 28, 2018
September 28, 2018
RIP John Macroglou, USMC 10/23/83, Brut, Lebanon. SEMPER FIDELIS. Knowing and having the friendship of both of your parents I know what a fine young man you were. Thank you for your service to God and Country. God Bless. Martha
August 23, 2018
August 23, 2018
Happy Birthday, friend. Can't listen to James Brown's "I Feel Good" without thinking of you with a smile.
August 23, 2018
August 23, 2018
Happy Birthday my dear cousin! Your star still shines brightly. I miss you every day. Love, Georgene
August 23, 2018
August 23, 2018
May the Perpetual Light shine upon him .
Long ago but NEVER forgotten Johnny .
Thank you for your Ultimate Service
Happy birthday in Heaven
June 29, 2018
June 29, 2018
A significant thanks in remembrance and recognition goes to John W.
Macroglou (Major, USMC), an early mentor in my career who encouraged
me to apply both my civilian and military training in service to
others, which he said is one's highest calling. Yes, we lost him in service on
23 October 1983, Marine Barracks, Lebanon but his words and deeds
remain. He was still a Captain when we first met at MCRD San Diego, as I was awaiting my slot to open up in intel school. When I subsequently served in Lebanon in 2009-2010, former USMC Commandant and National Security Advisor Jim Jones and I visited the Memorial together at the US Embassy compound. As the Memorial notes: "They came in peace."
May 28, 2018
May 28, 2018
I went through THE BASIC SCHOOL with John in 1972-73. We knew each other casually and shared a lot of experiences. We lost touch after that until I had reserve duty at Lejeune in the summer of 1983. John recognized me from a distance and in his usual effervescent way rushed over to say hello. We caught up on our shared trials during TBS, on Greek Orthodoxy, Smyrna, and our families. We made plans to get together for dinner with our wives the next summer at a half-way meeting point in Wilmington, DE (I still live in Southern NJ and somehow I remember that John would be travelling from Baltimore). Although I followed the bombing of the Beirut barracks, I didn't see the casualty list until reading Leatherneck magazine the next February. While giving an address at Arlington in 2006?, I mentioned John to the Superintendent of Arlington who was gracious enough to take me to John's grave. I have visited a couple times since. A likeable, nice guy, and a true patriot.
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Recent Tributes
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
Even through death for forty years, John remains a sterling role model for me. The example that he set is one that can be aspired to but never attained by me because of my natural limitations. Semper Fi.
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
RIP Major John Macroglou, USMC, Nov.23, 1983. 
Semper Fidelis, One of our Beirut, Lebanon, Heroes.
Never Forget and Never Disrespect Our Flag.
October 23, 2023
October 23, 2023
I was dealing with issues regarding a seriously sick son when the barracks were destroyed and failed to recognize that John had passed. I found out later from Clay Thomas that he had passed and I had missed his funeral. On the 40th Anniversary of the incident I wanted to let those survivors know that I have thought of John continuously. I do not know if his wife is still alive but if she is I would like to would like to speak with her. In our youth we were known as Batman and Robin with me being the subordinate. The chemistry between us was absolutely perfect and I have never had the same relationship even though we were different in so many ways. If Deborah is still alive I would like to speak to her and if not perhaps Heather.
Semper Fidelis Batman
Recent stories

Addition to his “Life Story”

August 19, 2022
MajorJohn W. Macroglou, USMC

Major John Macroglou, USMC was killed October 23, 1983 in the terrorist suicide bombing of the Marine Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. At the time of his death, Maj Macroglou was the Battalion Executive Officer and the highest ranking Marine to die in the bombing. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. (Section 59, #612)

Major Macroglou was born in Aliquippa, PA and grew up in Center Twp.  He graduated from Duquesne University in 1973 with a degree in Political Science. However, with a low draft number, he joined the Marine Reserve. He went to Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC and upon graduation decided his vocation was as a Marine and  went to  Marine Officer Candidate School.

Major Macroglou served in the Marine Corps at Camp LeJeune, NC, MCRD, San Diego, Shreveport LA, Okinawa, Japan and Quantico ,VA. He attended the Amphibious War College and also received his Masters Degree from Pepperdine University.

When the Marines were sent to Beirut as Peacekeepers in 1983, Major Macroglou served as a liaison to the Battalion stationed at Camp LeJeune. However, his goal was to go to Beirut and be “with his men”.

Major Macroglou was a marathon runner and his running partner was the Commanding General at Camp LeJeune. He finally convinced General Johnson to send him to Beirut as the XO of the Battalion in September 1983. He was killed a month later.

Major Macroglou is survived by his wife, Deborah,  daughter, Heather,  parents, Bill and  Lorraine Macroglou and brother, Jim.

Additionally his grandson, John Victor and grandaughter, Collins Victor have heard stories about their “Hero” Marine Grandfather from his classmates at Center High School and Duquesne University,  as well as Marine Corps colleagues. However, their favorite story was his last wish….

When Arlington Cemetery called his wife to finalize his burial arrangements, they also gave her a message from Major Macroglou. He wanted his burial flag flown over the next Pittsburgh Steeler vs Cleveland Brown home game. Maj Macroglou was lifelong Steeler Fan!

Beaver County is currently in the process of building a Memorial “Footsteps of the Fallen” honoring Beaver Valley sons and daughters killed in the fight on terrorism. Major Macroglou’s name is the first on the proposed memorial. Historians consider the Beirut bombing as the first successful suicide bombing by terrorists on the United States.



Major John Macroglous grandaughter, Collins

August 19, 2022
Major John Macroglous, grandaughter, Collins Victor at his gravesite (Section 59) Arlington Cem

Major John Macroglou’s Grandchild

August 19, 2022
Major John Macroglous  Grandson and namesake John “Hutch” Victor,visit Beirut Memorial 

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