Mark McNally was born to a Navy family, the third of eleven children. After graduation from the University of Missouri, with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, he was commissioned on 7 July 1975 as an Ensign in the United States Navy. After completion aviation training, he was designated a Naval Aviator in November 1976.

During his early years of service, he flew the A-6 Intruder in multiple Attack Squadrons and served on the staff of Captain Medium Attack Wing ONE. During this period, he participated in four deployments onboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY and one onboard USS AMERICA.

During his initial sea tour, he received the P.T. Smythe Junior Officer Leadership Award. In December 1983, he participated in combat actions in Lebanon. Additionally, he received the Mike Smith Memorial Award as the east coast "Intruder of the Year" in 1987. Following these early tours, he served on the Chief of Naval Operations staff.

In September 1992 he took command of an aviation squadron the "Road Runners" deployed on USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (the TR) to the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Under his leadership the squadron won the Commander, Naval Air Force "Battle Efficiency E" and the Chief of Naval Operations "Safety S."

Following his command tour, he served as the ship’s Navigator on the TR. During this tour, he was selected for nuclear power training. Following nuclear power training, he once again returned to the TR, serving as Executive Officer (XO). While Captain McNally was XO, the TR deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Gulf, winning the Golden Anchor for retention for 1997.

Captain McNally took command of the fast combat supply ship, USS DETROIT, in July 1998. While in command, DETROIT deployed to the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean theaters, participating in OPERATION DESERT FOX in the Arabian Gulf and OPERATION DELIBERATE FORGE in the Adriatic Sea. The USS Detroit was awarded a Navy Unit Citation during this time. He then took command of the nuclear powered aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, where he served until he retired from the Navy as a Captain, completing 28 years of active naval service.

After leaving the navy, he and his wife moved to Missouri, and he then worked five years as the Executive Director of the Mid-America Intermodal Port Authority and the three state Port Commission based in Quincy, Illinois. When funding from the states ran out, he was hired as the General Manager of the Clarence Cannon Wholesale Water Commission.

The Commission is a political subdivision of the state which operates a ten million gallon a day water treatment plant, and has over 300 miles of pipeline to provide water to fourteen counties in northeast Missouri. He held certification from the Department of Natural Resources for Drinking Water Treatment and Drinking Water Distribution.

He retired from that position after twelve years of service. He now is the Veteran's Advocate for Hydr8 Us, a premium drinking water company.

Mark holds a masters degree in Engineering Management. Military awards include: a Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, one with combat distinguishing device, a Navy Achievement Medal and various unit awards. He has over 950 carrier arrested landings and over 3800 A-6 flight hours.

Mark married the former Rose Hays of Monroe City, Missouri while in college. He has three children, and six grandchildren.