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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

Posted on 05/04/2008 4:59:58 PM PDT by 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.

ArmyPatch small   NavySeal small   Air Force Seal   Marines Seal small   Coast Guard Seal small (better)

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!


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: freepercanteen; military; troopsupport
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To: MEG33
Good morning, Meg.

8-)

161 posted on 05/05/2008 8:18:20 AM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Tony Stark makes you feel he's a cool exec with a heart of steel . . .)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

162 posted on 05/05/2008 8:53:59 AM PDT by Sonora
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To: MEG33

((HUGS))Good morning, MEG33. How’s it going?


163 posted on 05/05/2008 9:12:17 AM PDT by E.G.C. (To read a freeper's FR postings, click on his or her screen name and then "In Forum".)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Thanks Kathy!!

{{HUGS}}


164 posted on 05/05/2008 9:12:34 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: Sonora

WooHoo!!! Too cool, Sonora....another favorite each day. I’m being very fickle. LOL!!


165 posted on 05/05/2008 9:26:49 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: E.G.C.

Rainy day here..Thinking about a nap!


166 posted on 05/05/2008 9:37:19 AM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: beachn4fun
HI, sweetie,

i'm BACK at home. got in "in the wee" last night.

free dixie SMOOCH,sw

167 posted on 05/05/2008 9:44:59 AM PDT by stand watie (Resistance to TYRANTS is OBEDIENCE to God. T. Jefferson, 1804)
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To: beachn4fun
Happy Monday, beachy...


168 posted on 05/05/2008 9:55:21 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Tanniker Smith

Happy lunch, TS....hope you had a wonderful weekend.


169 posted on 05/05/2008 9:57:08 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Well, since life is basically short, let's try for two favorites in one day......

Three possibilities to choose from: all red, white and blue.......


170 posted on 05/05/2008 12:09:55 PM PDT by Sonora
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To: Tanniker Smith; LUV W

TS.....#50 and #150!!
Luv.....#100!!

Thanks, Sonora, for the woohoo!


171 posted on 05/05/2008 1:28:07 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Azbushgal
Happy Birthday Johnathon!



172 posted on 05/05/2008 1:55:28 PM PDT by MeekMom (Love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your being.)
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To: NYTexan

173 posted on 05/05/2008 1:56:56 PM PDT by MeekMom (Love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your being.)
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To: NYTexan; LUV W; MS.BEHAVIN
Happy Birthday, NYT!!


Click

174 posted on 05/05/2008 2:11:57 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Azbushgal
Happy Birthday, Jonathon!!


Click

175 posted on 05/05/2008 2:20:54 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Sonora

Very cool...more nervous energy?? LOL!! I like them all, but the second one the very best. d:o)


176 posted on 05/05/2008 2:22:28 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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Comment #177 Removed by Moderator

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Comment #179 Removed by Moderator

To: Disco Dave
NOPE. NO time today for anything but trying to "catch up on" what i missed after a MONTH OOT.

free dixie,sw

180 posted on 05/05/2008 2:47:01 PM PDT by stand watie (Resistance to TYRANTS is OBEDIENCE to God. T. Jefferson, 1804)
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