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

[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.

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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!

[E.G.C.]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NYTEXAN!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHNATHAN!!!!!!!!!!

[StarCMC]

Same in the heartland!! :-)

[StarCMC]

GOD FORBID!!

[StarCMC]

GREAT Wooohoooos!!

[Sonora]

Well, Geez, I've got the second also in Gold, just a little movement at the beginning.....

[MeekMom]

[SandRat]

Day is done and a ho-hum day it was.

How’s yours?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hmmmmmm......now a gold one might work just right for the first person to post on each new thread. I think I’ll try it out for tonight’s thread. Thanks, Sonora...((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wall to wall...2nd week of boss being gone. VERY busy.

d:o)

[SandRat]

OUCH!!!

[HiJinx]

We’re all here, and lunch was real good.

Can’t wait for dinner...

Oh, and whatever you do, don’t bring up the TSA within earshot of Ms. B...

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL!
Hi Ma, and all!
Here we are barreling down the highway in Az!
The trip out here was NOT fun!
I missed my flight!
Luckily, I was able to hop on another jet that was also leaving for Az!
More about that tonite!
Hugs alla round!

[Randy Larsen]

Ms. B,

You are nothing like I expected! LOL!

I guess I expected a pampered princess, and met a woman who knows what she wants, and can get it done.

I am so happy you are here!

[MEG33]

*Jonathon*

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh no......I think I will let that subject just lie there unnoticed.

Where did we lunch? Did you shop at the fancy place? (I can’t remember the name.)

And where are we dining this birthday evening?

[MEG33]

Glad you made it!(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi Disco...a beautiful day in my neighborhood today, too.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Cheers, TS....a parabola to you!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, Meg....hope your weather is settled. How are your critters?