Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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Vietnam War - U.S. Army

Finnis Dawson McCleery

Details
  • Rank: Sergeant First Class
  • Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
  • Unit/Command:
    1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th U.S. Infantry,
    Americal Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: May 14, 1968
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. PSgt. 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 PSgt. 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, PSgt. McCleery rose from his sheltered position and began a one-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, PSgt. 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 singlehandedly reached 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, PSgt. 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. PSgt. 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.
Medal of Honor Recipient Finnis D. McCleery
Medal of Honor Recipient Finnis D. McCleery
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: March 2, 1971
    The White House (East Ballroom), presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon
  • Born: December 25, 1927, Stephenville, Erath County, TX, United States
  • Died: July 11, 2002, San Angelo, TX, United States
  • Buried: Belvedere Memorial Park Cemetery (MH) (7-89), San Angelo, TX, United States
 

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