FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Finnis Dawson McCleery ~ 28 April 2025

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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! 

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy, thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero!

[Huskrrrr]

Thanks, Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML..((HUGS))...hope monsoon season is going well.

We got about 80 drops of rain. *sigh*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...it’s important to read about our heroes, and he was sure one.

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

LOBOMUSICS - Como Una Loba Deseada Son Tentación Las Caras Atahualpa JBravoProducciones

Lágrimas Negras - Así Somos ( 5teto ) - 2020

Lágrimas Negras Played In Havana Feb 4, 2025 - By The Morningside Studios - Havana Music School Ensemble

Eddie Montalvo And Friends Live Jam

Calm Before the Storm - Southland Jazz Little Big Band - Charles Tuttle

Sonora Matancera Homenaje - Orquesta Failde [ En Vivo En 23 Y M ]

When Someone Requests Devil Went Down To Georgia

VII Feria De La Chinita - Buenos Aires 2024 - Esencia Gaitera En Vivo

Part Time Lover - Bobby Valentín Y Su Orquesta ( Live Sesiones Desde La Loma )

Doc Severinsen And The Tonight Show Band Deliver An Incredible Performance Of - Ode To Billie Joe"

[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, Huskrrrr...glad you enjoy reading abour our heroes.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Looks like it’s rained a little bit up there this afternoon, at least at Lake Hood. A few puddles here and there in the parking lots.

[radu]

Howdy, PRO. Hope the week’s been a good one. Did you spend a little time with Robin and the silly pups this weekend?

[PROCON]

Hiya radu, I did get out of the house today and visited Robin and the pups and we sat out in her backyard and admired her dogwood tree which is in full bloom.
Our Spring weather is warming up and the A/C has been working fine.
I hope all is well with you and the kittehs!

[luvie]

Finnis Dawson McCleery
December 25, 1927 - July 11, 2002
From San Angelo, TX
United States Army soldier
and Medal of Honor Recipient
for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Salute to this brave American hero! 🫡

[radu]

Good! Glad the weather was nice enough to sit outside for a while. Feels so nice after being cooped up all winter, doesn’t it?
Good that your AC’s behaving. Mine is, too, so far. I’ve had it going for a couple of weeks now though it hasn’t had to work too hard the past week. It’ll get more of a workout this week.

The kittehs are doing pretty well these days. Obnoxious as ever. LOL

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

How’d your day go? Getting hot again or is it still tolerable? It’s gonna be a hot week ahead here but today wasn’t too bad.

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

I saw 90 degrees on the Weatherbug app this afternoon. Too darn hot. Tomorrow, more of the same, but then it cools off a bit. They say some rain later in the week, but you know how that rolls.

Glad you had a nice day today. I’m guessin’ you’ll be getting some of what we have now later in the week. Bah...humbug! LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, spel, and thank you for the assortment of music. ((HUGS))

Fun listening.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...did you get more dried grass today? Ready to mow?

We’ve had a few dropsof rain, but not even enough to outline the cars on the street.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good eveing, luvie, and thanks for helping honor our hero, Finnis Dawson McCleery.

Hope you got a good nap today.