After immigrating to America in 1927, Captain McEwan graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, went on to the College of the City of New York and earned a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the US Naval Academy Post Graduate School. He holds 3 patents for facilitating aircraft landing on carriers.

Serving first as a World War II naval aviator, Captain McEwan later represented the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Chairman of the US Delegation to NATO and served as Chief of Research on numerous arms control and disarmament projects. Subsequent tours included diplomatic service in Argentina, Paraguay, and Peru as Naval and Defense Attache. He retired from the United States Navy in 1972.

Captain McEwan received numerous commendations, including the Legion of Merit as well as foreign awards, including the Naval Order of Merit (Peruvian Cross). Upon returning to Virginia, Captain McEwan helped form Technology
Advancement Group, a high-tech tactical computer company specializing in military and intelligence applications.

Captain McEwan is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Maria Luisa of Santurce, Puerto Rico; three sons, John Arthur, James Stewart and Robert Duncan, five grandchildren, three sisters and one brother.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2002, 7:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 2501 Beacon Hill Rd, Alexandria. A reception following the service will be held at Belle Haven Country Club.

Interment will be Monday, October 7, 2002, 11am at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in memory of Captain Archibald J. McEwan to be sent to the US Navy Memorial Foundation, 701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 123, Washington DC, 20004-2608.