Following the high school, he attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Engineering on June 3, 1921.

McQueen was also commissioned Second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on the same date and assigned to the Basic School at Quantico Base for further officers education.

He slept at the foot of McQueen's bed until he met his demise (a local farmer's shotgun) when he was caught hunting the neighbor's chickens at night.

Quincy was subsequently ordered to Mediterranean waters to protect American interests in Spain during the height of the Spanish Civil War.

"[3] Major McQueen chose Captain Verne J. McCaul, Assistant Operations and Air Liaison Officer of the 1st Marine Brigade and spent next six weeks with the flying along the East coast.

McQueen was subsequently promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., where he served with the Division of Plans and Policies under Brigadier General Charles D. Barrett.

He also simultaneously served as an intelligence officer on the staff of the Commander, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet and participated in the planning of the battles of Kiska and Attu and its seizure and occupation.

[6][7] When Holland Smith was appointed commanding general of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in August 1944, he requested McQueen as his operations officer.

[1] Upon his return home and two-month leave, McQueen reported as chief of staff at Troop Training Unit, Atlantic at Little Creek, Virginia in April 1946.

A great highlight of his career came in May 1950, when he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and subsequently appointed director of Marine Corps public information in September of that year.

Lieutenant General John C. McQueen died on December 7, 1985, at his home in Menlo Park, California, and his ashes were scattered at sea.