FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Finnis Dawson McCleery ~ 24 October 2022

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Finnis Dawson 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! 

[The Mayor]

Our Daily Bread

Monday,
October 24, 2022

Fleeing from Turkeys

Read: 1 Samuel 17:32, 40–50

David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 1 Samuel 17:48

Two wild turkeys stood in the country lane ahead. How close could I get? I wondered. I slowed my jog to a walk, then stopped. It worked. The turkeys walked toward me . . . and kept coming. In seconds, their heads were bobbing at my waist, then behind me. How sharp were those beaks? I ran away. They waddled after me before giving up the chase. 

How quickly the tables had turned! The hunted had become the hunter when the turkeys seized the initiative. Foolishly, I had wondered if they were too dumb to be scared. I wasn’t about to be carelessly wounded by a bird, so I fled. From turkeys.

David didn’t seem dangerous, so Goliath taunted him to come near. “ ‘Come here,’ he said, ‘and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!’ ” (1 Samuel 17:44). David flipped the script when he seized the initiative. He ran toward Goliath, not because he was foolish but because he had confidence in God. He shouted, “This very day . . . the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel” (v. 46). Goliath was puzzled by this aggressive boy. What’s going on? he must have thought. Then it hit him. Right between the eyes.

It’s natural for small animals to run from people and shepherds to avoid giants. It’s natural for us to hide from our problems. Why settle for natural? Is there a God in Israel? Then, in His power, run toward the fight. — Mike Wittmer

What problem or person are you avoiding? How might you express confidence in God?

Father, whenever I’m afraid, remind me that Your Spirit is in me. Help me run in Your strength.

Bible in a year: Jeremiah 3–5; 1 Timothy 4

[TigerHawk]

HOWDY KATHY,

Today, 23 October, 2022, is the 39th anniversary of the horrific bombing of the USMC barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
241 Military personnel were killed, mostly Marines (along with 58 French Paratroopers in a separate bombing), and many injured.

Let’s take a moment to pause and remember them.

Keep the Faith.

[Jet Jaguar]

I remember.

Thanks for the moment of silence.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope you and Mrs Mayor got some rest and are ready to take on the new week.

[MoochPooch]

Hi Kathy! Thanks for another bio!

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Finnis Dawson McCleery ~

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[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

It’s a pretty day up there for a change, though right nippy. At least the wind seems to be dying down. The lake was choppy until about an hour ago and now it looks like a mirror.

It was pretty here and would have been a perfect day to open some windows if not for the guy across the road. He’s been out there harvesting more beans and is out there even now. Don’t want all that dust in the house.

[The Mayor]

We had a good weekend. Saturday I relaxed after doing too much Friday.
Mrs Mayor accomplished doing primer and paint on parts that need paint before assembly.

Today she cooked, I cut grass on riding mower : )
Them 1/2 the family came over for eats and just visit.
Only two of the grand sons but it was a great visit.
I gave the boys on my riding mower and they had to
see what we were doing in the shop. Fun time with them.

Hope you had a good restful weekend too my friend!

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP

1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing

Amazing Grace

[radu]

Howdy, TigerHawk.

Thank you for the reminder. It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago. The memory is still too fresh. :-(

[Tahoe3002]

TigerHawk,
Thanks for remembering 1st Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment.

Rest In Peace Marines , Sailors and Soldiers!
Especially Major John Macroglou and Captain Bill Winter, both USMC.
Semper Fi!

Capt. John A Barr, USMC

[lightman]

Thank you for keeping these heroes’ stories before us!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, TigerHawk, and thank you for the reminder.

The death toll of the 1983 Beirut Barracks bombing: 220 Marines, 18 sailors and three U.S. soldiers -- 241 troops in all.

A second truck drove into the French Multinational Force Headquarters building. The death toll: 55 paratroopers from the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment and three from the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, JJ...weather cooling down for “winter”?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mooch...another hero for us to remember.

Hope you are enjoying a nice fall. Winter is getting closer here.

[TigerHawk]

You’re all most humbly welcome.

Most of the time I recall neither the date, nor the event, but when the time rolls by every year, I do.

Thank all of you, that I have others to share this memory with. G-D BLESS YOU ALL.

[luvie]

Finnis Dawson McCleery
December 25, 1927 – July 11, 2002
United States Army
the Medal of Honor Recipient
—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
God Rest his hero soul....
Sorry I'm late. Had a live Zoom chat. :)

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

“Sorry I’m late. Had a live Zoom chat.”

Never mind the excuses! Don’t be late again!

** snicker **