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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Finnis D. McCleery.
Congressional Medal of Honor
Episode 2938 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Finnis D. McCleery. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and Tara Ross.
Army Sergeant First Class Finnis D. McCleery was a man of quiet resolve, whose bravery under fire in the Vietnam War earned him the Medal of Honor. On May 14, 1968, McCleery’s unit, Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, was on a mission in Quang Tin Province when they encountered a heavily fortified enemy position. The North Vietnamese forces unleashed a deadly ambush, pinning the Americans down with machine gun fire and mortar explosions.
Amid the chaos, McCleery took action. Crawling through thick vegetation under relentless enemy fire, he moved closer to the enemy bunkers. Despite being wounded in the arm and hip by shrapnel, he refused to retreat. His determination inspired his comrades, many of whom were frozen by the overwhelming firepower.
Reaching the first bunker, McCleery lobbed a grenade, silencing the enemy gun inside. Without hesitation, he moved to a second bunker, eliminating its occupants in close combat. He was shot again, this time in the leg, but continued his assault, neutralizing a third bunker. His single-handed actions disrupted the enemy’s defensive line and allowed his unit to regroup and counterattack, ultimately driving the North Vietnamese forces back.
SFC McCleery’s selflessness and courage saved countless lives that day. Despite his injuries, he remained humble, attributing his heroics to duty and camaraderie. His Medal of Honor citation reflects the essence of his character: a soldier who placed the lives of others above his own, embodying the highest ideals of service and sacrifice.
Listen to Episode 2938 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Finnis D. McCleery.
