FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of the Heroes: SGT Finnis D. McCleery ~ May 5, 2008

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World | StarCMC and Mumble

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

SGT Finnis D. McCleery
Info from this website.

           

Finnis Dawson McCleery (December 25, 1927 – July 11, 2002) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

McCleery joined the Army from San Angelo, Texas, and by May 14, 1968 was serving as a platoon sergeant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment. During an assault on that day, in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, McCleery single-handedly attacked and destroyed several enemy bunkers despite being wounded twice.

McCleery left the Army while still a platoon sergeant. He died at age 74 and was buried in Belvedere Memorial Cemetery, San Angelo, Texas.

 

Platoon Sergeant McCleery's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. P/Sgt. McCleery, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving as platoon leader of the 1st platoon of Company A. A combined force was assigned the mission of assaulting a reinforced company of North Vietnamese Army regulars, well entrenched on Hill 352, 17 miles west of Tam Ky. As P/Sgt. McCleery led his men up the hill and across an open area to close with the enemy, his platoon and other friendly elements were pinned down by tremendously heavy fire coming from the fortified enemy positions. Realizing the severe damage that the enemy could inflict on the combined force in the event that their attack was completely halted, P/Sgt. McCleery rose from his sheltered position and began a 1-man assault on the bunker complex. With extraordinary courage, he moved across 60 meters of open ground as bullets struck all around him and rockets and grenades literally exploded at his feet. As he came within 30 meters of the key enemy bunker, P/Sgt. McCleery began firing furiously from the hip and throwing hand grenades. At this point in his assault, he was painfully wounded by shrapnel, but, with complete disregard for his wound, he continued his advance on the key bunker and killed all of its occupants. Having successfully and single-handedly breached the enemy perimeter, he climbed to the top of the bunker he had just captured and, in full view of the enemy, shouted encouragement to his men to follow his assault. As the friendly forces moved forward, P/Sgt. McCleery began a lateral assault on the enemy bunker line. He continued to expose himself to the intense enemy fire as he moved from bunker to bunker, destroying each in turn. He was wounded a second time by shrapnel as he destroyed and routed the enemy from the hill. P/Sgt. McCleery is personally credited with eliminating several key enemy positions and inspiring the assault that resulted in gaining control of Hill 352. His extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, was in keeping with the highest standards of the military service, and reflects great credit on him, the Americal Division, and the U.S. Army.

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[ConorMacNessa]

Greetings to all Canteen Denizens, Our Serving Military, Our Veterans, Their Families, FRiends and Our Allies!

Missing Man Setting

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC. Please thank her for today’s thread.

Please join us and meet MOH Recipient

Platoon Sergeant Finnis D. McCleery.

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Honoring those who have served before.

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[MS.BEHAVIN]

IN!

[ConorMacNessa]

[Radix]

Monday already?

[MarineBrat]

Top Ten, woohoo!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mumble, for helping StarCMC with today's Hall of Heroes:
MOH recipient SGT Finnis D McCleery

[Poetgal26]

Good evening all

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Poetgal - how are you doing tonite?

[Poetgal26]

am ok, just tired, might go to bed early tonight, its been a long day, ty and u

[SandRat]

In late.

[ConorMacNessa]

Doing great, thanks! I'm also looking for an early evening.

[Poetgal26]

What ya do this weekend sir?

[SandRat]

Off to School

Iraqi girls head to there classroom unaware that Iraqi army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 33rd Infantry, 14th Iraqi Army Division, deliver supplies to the Adafa Asharqiq School in the At Tannumah District of Basra, Iraq, on April 21, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt Tim Ortez.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

AbnSarge USA
Allegra
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
Capt Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Clarinet_King USAF (NerdDad/CDBear)
Col Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
Ev USA (Mozie)
Fred (DocRock)
Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
GulfWar1Vet USA
Jade Falcon USN
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
KB4W USAF (arbee4bush)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Lt David (Coldwater Creek)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
Sgt Dusty USA (MountainDad)
Sgt Sean Reed (preed)
Sgt Spencer USA (grame)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
txradioguy USA
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)

 

[ConorMacNessa]

Drove up to Philly to pick my daughter up from school yesterday - worked in the garden today.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting. We must never forget those that gave their all for us to be free and safe.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Kathy - how are you doing tonite?

[jimfree]

Nice read. Those are movie script heroics. John Wayne or the like might have done this sort of thing in film. Sgt McCleery knew he was likely to be cut down any second but advanced to give his troops the best chance for survival and mission success. Thanks for posting it Kathy.

[Poetgal26]

Are ya getting anything in your garden yet?
Ours isn’t coming up yet for some reason ;-{

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up.

[ConorMacNessa]

Lots of stuff coming up - my roses are about ready to bloom.

[Poetgal26]

Awwwww, I luv roses, what colors do u have?

[MEG33]

I am in awe of the bravery of Platoon Sergeant McCleery. I am so grateful for this hero.

Thank you for honoring him.

[The Mayor]

May 5, 2008

The Debt Of Leadership

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Psalm 86

Save Your servant who trusts in You! —Psalm 86:2

Examine the words of Psalm 86, and you might forget that you are reading the musings of a good leader. King David prayed, “O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy” (v.1). Then the king of Israel refers to himself as a “servant” and pleads for mercy. Think of it! This was the man God had chosen to lead His people, pleading for God’s help. Wow!

As we think about the role of leaders—whether centuries ago or today—it’s vital that we review what leadership means. According to businessman and author Max De Pree, whose leadership moved his company near the top of the Fortune 500: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader.” Those two words, servant and debtor, describe David’s view of himself as he asked God for help during his time of leadership.

All of us who are in a leadership position—whether leading a family, a church, a classroom, or a business—need the humble words of Psalm 86 as our guide. The “poor and needy” (v.1) servant-leader who trusts God is the one who, in the end, can say as David did, “You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me” (v.17).

Controlling other people’s lives
Is not a godly leader’s trait;
But serving other people’s needs
Is what the Lord considers great. —Sper

The only leaders qualified to lead are those who have learned to serve.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 28–29; Proverbs 12:15-28

[ConorMacNessa]

White, pink, cerise, yellow, red.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Johnny on the spot.....Mac takes the gold!

[MEG33]

To Our Veterans, Our Military And Their
Families


~Thank You For Serving Our Country~

Good Evening Canteeners

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

BLESS THIS HOUSE

 Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day; 
Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee. 

(Click on graphics for music)

[Kathy in Alaska]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[ConorMacNessa]

Standing at Attention for our National Anthem!

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Meg - how are you doing tonite?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*sigh*
Is FR whacking out again?

[Kathy in Alaska]

And look at you....ms b scoops up the silver!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kate Smith ~ God Bless America

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Well..
How about dat?
;0)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Lady MsB.

*bow*

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*curtsey*
Good evening Sir Conor!
How do you fare this evening?

[Kathy in Alaska]

MOH....I like the detail in the Medal of Honor pic you posted, Mac. Thanks.

[MEG33]

Fine, thank you....I left to cook dinner..It was beautiful today outside!

[MoochPooch]

Hi, Kathy. Another hero! Wonderful!

(Guten Chodesh. It’s now the month of Iyar.)

[ConorMacNessa]

Faring well this evening, thank you.

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, Kathy! Good evening, everyone!

So guess where I went today . . .
(hint: ------------------------------------------------------V)

[MS.BEHAVIN]

I’m glad to hear that!
I will not be here late either this evening.
My plane for Az leaves very early in the morning.
*sigh*

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, Ms. B.

Is FR whacking out again?

I don't know, I just got here. But then, I'm so whacked out at times that I might not notice . . .. .

[Tanniker Smith]

50?

[Tanniker Smith]

50?

[Tanniker Smith]

50?

[Tanniker Smith]

50?