Hundreds mourn Medal of Honor recipient

chron.com ^ | 16 Oct 2010 | Cindy George

[smokingfrog]

A final tribute to a selfless war hero.

Dozens saluted and waved flags on Saturday as a lengthy funeral procession of an American hero rolled across an edge of Crosby and the city's north side to Houston National Cemetery.

Hundreds honored 1st Sgt. David H. McNerney during a service at his Crosby church and later at a Medal of Honor ceremony at the graveyard. The 79-year-old died earlier this month at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center after a battle with lung cancer.

The tributes brought some men to tears. A few had to excuse themselves as veterans and friends recounted McNerney's Vietnam War heroics on March 22, 1967, that earned him the Medal of Honor — his highest of several military decorations.

Those who spoke about McNerney remembered a valiant and selfless man dedicated to his country and soldiers.

Richard Sauer, a retired lieutenant colonel who was wounded during the battle, recounted how his comrade has remained loyal and respectful of his men - even in his twilight years of infirmity. On a recent visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, McNerney refused to remain seated in a wheelchair as they approached panel 17E, where the names of the men killed in action 43 years ago are listed. Instead, he "raised up" and they walked together to lay a wreath.

Sauer, who lives in Colorado, recognized about 30 men in attendance who served alongside McNerney.

"Tell them I was doing my job," Sauer said he was instructed. "He always said the Medal of Honor belonged to A Company."

[smokingfrog]

Citation:

    1st Sgt. McNerney distinguished himself when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion near polei Doc. Running through the hail of enemy fire to the area of heaviest contact, he was assisting in the development of a defensive perimeter when he encountered several enemy at close range. He killed the enemy but was painfully injured when blown from his feet by a grenade. In spite of this injury, he assaulted and destroyed an enemy machinegun position that had pinned down 5 of his comrades beyond the defensive line. Upon learning his commander and artillery forward observer had been killed, he assumed command of the company. He adjusted artillery fire to within 20 meters of the position in a daring measure to repulse ??enemy assaults.

When the smoke grenades used to mark the position were gone, he moved into a nearby clearing to designate the location to friendly aircraft. In spite of enemy fire he remained exposed until he was certain the position was spotted and then climbed into a tree and tied the identification panel to its highest branches. Then he moved among his men readjusting their position, encouraging the defenders and checking the wounded.

As the hostile assaults slackened, he began clearing a helicopter landing site to evacuate the wounded. When explosives were needed to remove large trees, he crawled outside the relative safety of his perimeter to collect demolition material from abandoned rucksacks. Moving through a fusillade of fire he returned with the explosives that were vital to the clearing of the landing zone. Disregarding the pain of his injury and refusing medical evacuation 1st Sgt. McNerney remained with his unit until the next day when the new commander arrived. First Sgt. McNerney's outstanding heroism and leadership were inspirational to his comrades. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

[rickb308]

SALUTE! Viya con Dios Sir!

[packrat35]

Running through the hail of enemy fire to the area of heaviest contact, he was assisting in the development of a defensive perimeter when he encountered several enemy at close range. He killed the enemy but was painfully injured when blown from his feet by a grenade. In spite of this injury, he assaulted and destroyed an enemy machinegun position that had pinned down 5 of his comrades beyond the defensive line.

Read that and you will see a real man!

[Gritty]

God Bless 1st Sgt. David H. McNerney, a real American hero.

[Doogle]

RIP 1st Sgt. McNerney, you are an example of America’s best.
(see you on the other side Sarge)

[Dubya]

Soldier rest, Gently pressed,
To the calm, Mother Earth's
Waiting breast;
Duty done, Like the sun:
Going West.

[ExpatGator]

Fair Winds and Following Seas to a real American Hero.

[Delta 21]

How much intestinal fortitude does it take to charge and overtake an enemy machine gun, be blown off your feet by a grenade, and then be able to call in arty “danger close”?

Warrior thru and thru.

You can rest now 1st Sgt.

[csmusaret]

1SG

[Stonewall Jackson]

I've been reading through the Medal of Honor citations over the past few months. Many of these men make John Wayne and Clint Eastwood look like wimps.

And the one female recipient, Dr. Mary Walker, was just as impressive.

[wizkid]

A documentary on his life: “Honor In The Valley of Tears.”

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi71304985/

[ops33]

First Sergeants in the Army are often referred to as “Top.” This is a case where the nickname is very much appropriate.

[jmaroneps37]

God bless you sir!