The youngest of 12 children, McEntee attended West Catholic High School before enlisting in the Marine Corps in January 1964. Prior to joining the Marines, McEntee worked as a kitchen employee with ARA Services Co. He told a sister that his dream was to operate his own “family style” restaurant after he got home from Vietnam. McEntee, a machine gunner, was assigned to Company C of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Marine Division; he died on March 28, 1966, in Chu Lai. Quang Ngai Province, two days before his 20th birthday, and two weeks before he was scheduled to return to the United States. The private first class was survived by his mother, six brothers and four sisters.