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

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.

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: ConorMacNessa

Fine, thank you....I left to cook dinner..It was beautiful today outside!

41 posted on 05/04/2008 6:05:46 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Hi, Kathy. Another hero! Wonderful!

(Guten Chodesh. It’s now the month of Iyar.)

42 posted on 05/04/2008 6:10:19 PM PDT by MoochPooch (I'm a compassionate cynic.)

Faring well this evening, thank you.

43 posted on 05/04/2008 6:10:34 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Peregrine, patron saint of cancer patients, pray for us.)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Good evening, Kathy! Good evening, everyone!

So guess where I went today . . .
(hint: ------------------------------------------------------V)

44 posted on 05/04/2008 6:12:21 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Tony Stark makes you feel he's a cool exec with a heart of steel . . .)

To: ConorMacNessa

I’m glad to hear that!
I will not be here late either this evening.
My plane for Az leaves very early in the morning.
*sigh*

45 posted on 05/04/2008 6:13:00 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)

Good evening, Ms. B.

Is FR whacking out again?

I don't know, I just got here. But then, I'm so whacked out at times that I might not notice . . .. .

46 posted on 05/04/2008 6:13:48 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Tony Stark makes you feel he's a cool exec with a heart of steel . . .)

To: Tanniker Smith

47 posted on 05/04/2008 6:14:08 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Tony Stark makes you feel he's a cool exec with a heart of steel . . .)

To: Tanniker Smith

48 posted on 05/04/2008 6:14:08 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Tony Stark makes you feel he's a cool exec with a heart of steel . . .)

To: Tanniker Smith

49 posted on 05/04/2008 6:14:16 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Tony Stark makes you feel he's a cool exec with a heart of steel . . .)

To: Tanniker Smith

50 posted on 05/04/2008 6:14:17 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Tony Stark makes you feel he's a cool exec with a heart of steel . . .)

To: Tanniker Smith

LOL
Same here!
Good evening, Tann!
Did you have a nice weekend?

51 posted on 05/04/2008 6:15:21 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)

Can't complain. (Well, I *can*, but I choose not to.)
Can you guess what I did this weekend?
Hint: ----------------------------------------------------V

52 posted on 05/04/2008 6:18:34 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (Tony Stark makes you feel he's a cool exec with a heart of steel . . .)

To: Tanniker Smith

Hmmm....
“V”
Went to Virginia?
LOL
Voted?

53 posted on 05/04/2008 6:23:15 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)

To: Kathy in Alaska; All

Okay..
I’m gonna try and get some rest before tomorrow.
See ya later!
Hugs alla round!

54 posted on 05/04/2008 6:45:09 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)

Sleep fast, ms b...((HUGS))

55 posted on 05/04/2008 6:52:13 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

To: Tanniker Smith

56 posted on 05/04/2008 6:53:43 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

57 posted on 05/04/2008 6:54:03 PM PDT by Randy Larsen (Arrogance IS my virtue!)

To: Randy Larsen

LOL
Hurry and sleep?
I’ll be there before ya know it!

58 posted on 05/04/2008 6:55:14 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)

To: Kathy in Alaska

59 posted on 05/04/2008 6:55:49 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)

And a wonderful Guten Chodesh to you, Mooch. Star really does a good job with our heroes. She and her family are at church tonight for the Children’s Choir Spring Concert. Did you work hard today?

60 posted on 05/04/2008 6:56:39 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)

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