The Trane That is Never Far Away
By Betsy Alexander
Courtesy of the McCloud family
“Trane was a fearless, resilient, and charismatic person who represented Grosse Pointe exceptionally well in life. -- Terry Ayrault, Trane’s best friend and Blue Devil teammate
Sometimes those who have physically left us still remain with us in many ways. Perhaps it was the manner in which they influenced others and impacted lives by their leadership. Or maybe it was the way in which they conducted themselves and contributed to making the world a better place by their positive actions.
“Trane” was one of those guys. Many of you were lucky enough to have known him.
Trane kept a-rollin’ (courtesy of John A. Stano/Detroit Free Press – 1984)
To be precise he was Joseph Trane McCloud, born in Johnson City, Tennessee on December 14, 1966, the middle child of Roma and Ron. The McCloud’s moved to Grosse Pointe Park in 1977 where he grew up at 854 Pemberton Road, a Trombley Elementary then Pierce Middle kid who played school basketball, CYO football, and was feared as a remarkably hard-throwing Little Leaguer. Considered undersized for his position, he was the Grosse Pointe South linebacker that made All-League Team honors with his ferocious play and bone-rattling hits; just ask Coach Hepner, his opponents, Blue Devil teammates, and many friends from South’s class of ‘85.
Trane studied liberal arts and earned his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Tennessee. With his drive and high self-expectations, it surprised few when he joined the United States Marine Corps in January of 1990 soon after graduation. His mother recalled his phone call of “reassurance” telling her, “Mom, you’ll just love my dress uniform!” He was handsome, an all-American young man with a big grin, unshakable love of family and classic cars, unwavering determination and leadership, and a very strong sense of self.
McCloud fit the Marine ideal to a T.
Trane and his beloved Ford Fairlane (courtesy of the McCloud family)
Trane became a gunner and was assigned to the famed battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) during Operation Desert Storm where he manned a 5-inch gun mount. He was also selected to personally escort President George H.W. Bush while he was aboard the ship commemorating the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a proud moment for Trane.
At the encouragement of the Missouri’s captain, he was accepted into Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia in 1992. He moved up rapidly, first as a rifle and weapons platoon commander, then returned to OCS emerging as a communications and demonstration platoon commander; he later served as an OCS instructor. By 1996, he had received a second military occupational specialty as a public affairs officer and graduated from Defense Information School.
Continuing his fast upward trajectory, he earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from American University, then served as news director for the Navy and Marine Corps News for three years, producing a weekly television show broadcast to their worldwide enlisted.
By July of 2000, Captain McCloud was commander of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion then promoted to major, commanding the Marine Security Element for the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Pacific in the Philippines. In 2003-2004, Major McCloud was selected for the Congressional Fellowship Program (CFP) and assigned to the offices of United States Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), a retired Colonel and Army veteran of 31 years and a member of the House Armed Services Committee who also became Trane’s advocate. While working for Wilson, he was involved in the passage of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act of 2003 (H.R. 438) which provided for additional amounts of student loan forgiveness for certain eligible teachers of mathematics, science, special education, or reading in low-income elementary and secondary schools.
Trane standing on the Hadithah Dam a few weeks before the crash (courtesy of the McCloud family)
But whenever Trane was behind a desk, he was anxious to return to action.
McCloud was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he reported in April 2006. As operations officer, he deployed to Iraq with Regimental Combat Team 7 that August.
On December 4, 2006, he was aboard a CH-46 Boeing Sea Knight helicopter when it malfunctioned then attempted an emergency landing on Lake Qadisiyah behind the Hadithah Dam in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Twelve men made it out of the crash but three others, and Trane, did not. He left behind his wife of 12 years, Maggie, and three young children under the age of eight: Hayden (7), Grace (5), and Meghan (2).
Tribute to Trane ad (courtesy of the McCloud family)
Senator John W. Warner, III (R-VA), Rep. Wilson, and hundreds of mourners - including family, friends, and those previously under his command - attended his funeral. Trane was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on December 15, 2006 - the day after he would have turned 40 years old. Attendees recall a large bald eagle soaring above the graveside as if on cue, undeterred by the bagpipers, “Taps,” or the 21-gun salute.
A memorial service for the local community took place four days later at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. Soon after, a fundraising event was planned by close friends and South school mates, Terry Ayrault, Ted Metry, and Gerry Finazzo to support the McCloud children’s higher education.
On October 26, 2007, event organizers and The War Memorial hosted a celebration of life and auction called Tribute to Trane. The three planners, the McCloud family, and friends George Krappman, Mike Keane, Rob Colby, Mike Seward, Brad Thomas, George Kaza, Mike Duffy, Liz Sutherland and their partners welcomed local guests and those who had flown in from several different states for the fundraiser. Attendees ranged from military personnel and businesses to former neighbors, friends, and teammates. At the event, Rep. Wilson arranged for Trane’s younger brother, Richmond to be presented with the American flag flown over the Capitol on 9/11. The evening successfully raised over $40,000 toward the children’s college fund.
Numerous additional honors have been bestowed over the decades since his passing. Rep. Wilson was responsible for various honors and mentions written into the Congressional Record: upon Trane’s death, at the end of the Iraq War, and to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing. His fraternity at UT also established the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation’s Fallen Brothers Fund to collect financial donations to benefit his children’s higher education.
Memorial Day of 2026, Trane was honored at Grosse Pointe Park’s Light the Night event at Neff Park where two display easels bearing photo arrays illustrated his life, and the Park’s laser light show extravaganza was dedicated to him. Roma, Richmond, and several of his Blue Devil buddies were in attendance for the honor.
Easels featuring Trane’s life at Light the Night (courtesy of McCloud family)
Click image to purchase (courtesy of The War Memorial)
His abbreviated story was also included in The War Memorial’s just-released hard cover book Home of the Brave: Remembering the Grosse Pointes’ Fallen.
On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, a ceremony was held to dedicate the new LtCol Joseph Trane McCloud Conference Room at the U.S. Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) within the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Marines, civilians, and family gathered to participate in the unveiling to commemorate the upcoming 20-year anniversary of LtCol McCloud’s passing and honor his service. Two former colleagues and friends were responsible for organizing the naming of the room: Brigadier General Adolfo Garcia, Jr., former Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, had served with Trane at 3rd Marine Regiment, and Mr. John Daly, Deputy Legislative Assistant to the Commandant, had worked with him when he was a Congressional Fellow. It was they who reached out to Maggie McCloud with their idea. Her reason for acceptance, “I told them that if Trane were here he would have said no to such recognition because he was such a humble person; but I said yes, that it was absolutely a fitting tribute. Trane truly enjoyed his time with OLA and on Capitol Hill, and I could easily have seen him coming back to the field in a post-Marine Corps career. Unfortunately, that wasn’t meant to be.”
U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Randall K. Jones, Chief of Staff, Office of Legislative Affairs stated, “It was truly an honor for us to recognize Trane and his service. It was important to us that his legacy be remembered and celebrated.”
Pentagon room plaque unveiling: (right) U.S. Marine Corps BGen Adolfo Garcia, Jr.; (right center) Maggie McCloud, LtCol McCloud’s wife; (left back to front) daughter Grace McCloud, brother Richmond McCloud, and son Hayden McCloud (photo courtesy of LCpl Kriti Chhetri, USMC)
Trane may have passed 20 years ago this December, but his presence still burns strong by those who were influenced by him in the Grosse Pointes and around the world.
“Major McCloud was a Marine's marine. He epitomized the Marine motto, Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. I was fortunate enough to know and work with Major McCloud.” – U.S. Representative Joe Wilson, R-SC. Trane worked for him on Capitol Hill
“…one of the finest leaders I ever had the honor of serving under. He embodied what it meant to truly be there — not just for his Marines, but for any service member fortunate enough to cross his path.” – Captain Kristina Miller, USN (retired). He spoke at her leadership class graduation
“Major McCloud was a Marine Officer who I could turn to for anything professional and revered personally. I looked up to him; if there was any man whose footsteps I would follow, it would be his.” – Sargeant Austin Stukins, MCNCRC (retired). Was stationed in Hawaii with him and worked for him at the Pentagon
“He was an absolutely selfless and humble man.” – Major Pat Zaleski, USMC (retired). Served with him at Camp Lejeune and on the staff at OCS together. Was extremely close to Trane and delivered his eulogy
“I really believe he was built to be a Marine...tough, brave, proud, honorable, passionate. I owe him a ton of gratitude for what he sacrificed for his country and my own family. I think of him daily.” –Terry Ayrault, Trane’s friend, teammate, and classmate
“I knew the last time I saw him he was destined for greatness.” – Judge Ted Metry, Trane’s friend, teammate, and classmate
“December will mark the twentieth anniversary of his death in Iraq. He was taken far too soon. While the Corps lost an outstanding Marine that day, who I know would have continued to have an impactful career serving the Country he loved, his friends and family lost even more. His loss is felt every day by our family. It is comforting to know that almost twenty years later his colleagues still remember him, and that future Congressional Fellows and OLA Staff will know his name and the impact he made.” – Maggie McCloud, Trane’s wife
Maggie and the children in surprise UT garb to celebrate Trane’s 40th birthday; he passed before receiving the photograph (courtesy of the McCloud family)
Military Decorations & Service Awards of LtCol Joseph Trane McCloud:
Bronze Star (1)
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2)
Combat Action Ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation (2)
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy "E" Ribbon/Navy Battle "E" Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal (2)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal (4)
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (7)
United Nations Medal
NATO Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Letter of Commendation (2)
Special thanks to:Grosse Pointe News; Detroit Free Press; Terry Ayrault; Judge Ted Metry; John Daly, OLA; USMC BGen Adolpho Garcia, Jr.; USMC Col. Randall K. Jones; USMC LCpl Kriti Chhetri; Pat Zaleski; and especially Maggie, Roma, and Richmond McCloud