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.

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!

[SandRat]

Have a box of Tissues handy.

[Kathy in Alaska]

You are most welcome...how was the Children’s Concert?

[luvie]

Hee-hee!

I am LOVIN’ it!!!!

Wish you were with us!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Tissues at the ready! It is taping as we speak.

[StarCMC]

Whew! DONE!! One more thing OVER for the summer! :-D

Seriously - it was good - kids were crazy as ever!

[laurenmarlowe]

Sounds like you’ set for the evening LUV! WOO HOO!

I was a fun day, getting together and having some good food and good laughs. And the fun will continue!

[Kathy in Alaska]

lauren....you, too! The zzzzz monster mugged me, or I would have done pictures. Oops!

Did you have a rest day? Waiting for others to arrive? ms b went to bed early, trying for some sleep before 3a.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I can just imagine that getting a choir of kids is a little like herding cats. What was their best number? How many of yours are in the choir?

[luvie]

I am finishing up my “leftovers” right now. Y U M!!!!!

A lovely late supper on the patio! :D

[Randy Larsen]

It was very nice to meet you!

[luvie]

Same here, Randy...and Violet, too! You’re a lucky guy!

I just know we’re gonna have so much fun this week!

[laurenmarlowe]

Im here MA! *HUGS*

Enjoying a bit of the wonderful Arizona evening too.

We will retrieve MS.B first thing in the morning, and then a day of local sightseeing, lunch, and some shopping. WOO HOO!

We will be having a Birthday celebration dinner for NYTexan, and maybe a surpise thrown in there somehwere! :o)

[Randy Larsen]

We’re heading out shortly to eat some seafood...

I’m thinking of a batch of all-you-can-eat shrimp!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy Birthday to the Army Reserve!!!!

[luvie]

Ooooooooooo.....LOVE surprises! WOOOHOOOO!!!

Um.....and shopping! Yayayayayayaya!

[luvie]

Yummers! That sounds good.

It’s what we had at the meal after the shoot yesterday. So much food, so little time! LOL!

[luvie]

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[luvie]

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[luvie]

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[luvie]

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