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

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~ 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!

To: laurenmarlowe

Woohoo!! You will all be together by lunchtime! I like surprises!! You guys have a terrific time!!

101 posted on 05/04/2008 9:16:34 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

Hey!!! There you are, Sis!

Are ya packed yet? And if so....LEAVE IT ALONE!!! LOL!

102 posted on 05/04/2008 9:16:40 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)

Oh trust me, you’re gonna LUV this one! :o)

103 posted on 05/04/2008 9:18:49 PM PDT by laurenmarlowe

To: Randy Larsen

Hi, Randy and Mrs Randy!

Did you meet up with your Navy buddy?

104 posted on 05/04/2008 9:20:18 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

To: laurenmarlowe

LOL! Now I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight in anticipation! :D

105 posted on 05/04/2008 9:20:22 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)

To: Kathy in Alaska

We sure did ma!

We we’re all talking at once!

Had brunch, then went out to his new home...Looked at old pics, told old tales, brought back old memories...

We’re gonna spend much more time together before we leave!

What a dream come true!

106 posted on 05/04/2008 9:28:21 PM PDT by Randy Larsen (Arrogance IS my virtue!)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Evening, Ma, I’m late but rested, (PM nap, donchaknow), the weather was too nice to get all my goals accomplished, but had a fine Lord’s Day, how about you?!

107 posted on 05/04/2008 9:28:47 PM PDT by PROCON (Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)

To: Kathy in Alaska

My favorite was “I Know The Plans I Have For You.” It was taken from Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — one of my very favorite Bible verses.

I have 2 kids in choirs right now. Squeezit’s too old (argh - TEENAGER!) and Mini’s too young yet.

108 posted on 05/04/2008 9:29:31 PM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/peoples-information-support-team/ -JOIN US!-We're PIST!)

Hiya LUV, how far did you have to travel?!

By car?

109 posted on 05/04/2008 9:35:25 PM PDT by PROCON (Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)

To: Randy Larsen

How wonderful for you! The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Taking this trip, having your buddy in the same town. Nice!!

Dreams are a good thing.

110 posted on 05/04/2008 9:36:16 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC

Thanks for telling us about this great man.

111 posted on 05/04/2008 9:36:45 PM PDT by BykrBayb (In memory of my Friend T'wit, who taught me much. Ãž)

HEY!! It’s good to see ya! *HUG*

112 posted on 05/04/2008 9:38:52 PM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/peoples-information-support-team/ -JOIN US!-We're PIST!)

*HUG*

I hope all is well with you.

113 posted on 05/04/2008 9:41:46 PM PDT by BykrBayb (In memory of my Friend T'wit, who taught me much. Ãž)

To: PROCON; NYTexan; mylife; All

We (NYTexan and I) flew to Corpus Christi Friday from our hometowns, and then to Phoenix from Corpus Christi today. We will be traveling around AZ by car(s).

It's been GREAT so far! This is what we did before coming here....

THIRD ANNUAL TEXAS COWBOY SHOOT (scroll down for pics.)

114 posted on 05/04/2008 9:42:05 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)

Good evening, Late...((HUGS))...I’ve been mugged by the zzzz monster several times today. Early bed is, I think, on my agenda. Did you work on your garden at all? How was getting out of bed, considering your labors of yesterday, roto-tilling, et al?

I had a nice Lord’s Day....I did my errands that I didn’t get done yesterday. Now I’m waiting for rain. It would be really nice. The street sweepers are out on the main roads kicking up dust.

115 posted on 05/04/2008 9:43:51 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

To: Kathy in Alaska

It makes it all worthwhile!

We could have spent the whole day, but I felt I needed to be with the group!

116 posted on 05/04/2008 9:44:42 PM PDT by Randy Larsen (Arrogance IS my virtue!)

Star did a great job.

117 posted on 05/04/2008 9:45:50 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

Woo-Hoo!

Great pics!!

Hope you guys check in periodically with your "fun" updates!!

118 posted on 05/04/2008 9:49:00 PM PDT by PROCON (Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)

To: Randy Larsen

Randy, I am so glad that you got to see your old buddy from
Navy days. There is nothing like old friends! Hope you see each other again and have lots of laughs!

119 posted on 05/04/2008 9:49:38 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party is strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Since the weather here has been so nice, I got the garden "plantable", but had fun doing other stuff also!!

No more snow this spring for you?!

120 posted on 05/04/2008 9:50:58 PM PDT by PROCON (Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)

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