Finnis Dawson McCleery (December 25, 1927 - July 11, 2002)
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 Life Member
Born in Stephenville, Texas. Finnis Dawson McCleery 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. McCleery was married to Lena Mae McCleery and had seven children, Jack Hollis, Roger McCleery, Curtis McCleery, Lisa Power, Donna St.Clair, Deena Moore, and Darla Piper. He was a grandfather and great grandfather at the time of his death.
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.
His Medal was presented to him at the White House's East Ballroom by President Richard M. Nixon on March 2, 1971
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The following Summation of Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240's association with Finnis Dawson McCleery was written by Brad Thompson on October 10, 2014:
Some years ago, Past 240 Commander Colonel Richard Petronis was perusing The Congressional Medal of Honor recipients list on the internet when he noticed one recipient was born in Erath County. He immediately called me suggesting I might want to investigate it further.
I called a relative, who had served on the Stephenville Police Department for many years. The relative told me that Finnis resided in San Angelo, Texas. He did not have his telephone number but another female relative living in Stephenville would have Finnis’s telephone number, if anyone did.
So, I called the lady. She informed me that she would give me the number but forewarned me that he probably would not talk to me and don’t be surprised at what he might say.
I pondered awhile, took a deep breath, leaned forward in my chair, lifted the telephone to my ear and dialed the number. After two or three rings, a gruff voice said, "Hello." I verified that he was Mr. Finnis McCleery and that I was with the Stephenville American Legion and we would like very much for some of our members to come see him.
He advised that he really didn't talk to anyone and that he was not a member of the American Legion. I asked him if anyone had ever invited him to be a member of a post and he said, "No".
I said, "Well, Mr. McCleery, I am asking you to consider being a member of Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 in Stephenville and the post is very near where you were born." I told him we would be delighted to have him; he would be an honorary member and he would be fully sponsored as long as he was in the post and he said he would think about it. Then, I again approached him to come see him. After quite a pause, he said, "You can come, but don't bring anybody with you."
On January 11, 2001, Past Commanders B. R. Kirkland, J. Fred Cross, Petronis and myself decided on a time to make the trip to San Angelo. When we got to his home, I told the group I would go in and visit with him, but he had specifically told me not to bring anyone with me, so I went to the door and they stayed in the car. I knocked on the door and pretty soon this gentleman opened the door and said, "Hello". I told him who I was and recalled our telephone conversation. We talked briefly, and he said, "Who are the men in the car?"
I told him about each one and he said, "Well, tell them to come in; they don't need to sit out there." So, I waved the others in. We all introduced ourselves and he said, "Everybody have a seat".
What followed was approximately a two hour visit with a man that seemed to have a desire to talk to someone and for some reason our group seemed to fill the bill for him. I think the conversation started with someone recognizing and mentioning that his medal and citation were hanging on the wall. After that, he answered all questions, pretty much in detail, including how he won the medal.
At the beginning, B. R. Kirkland asked him if it would be alright to tape our conversation and I do not remember exactly, but he answered something to the effect, "Well, you are already here; I guess you can." We had a wonderful time with this man and were very pleased that he would let us make him a member of our Post.
There was a second visit following this one on January 7, 2002. At that time, Past Commander Brian Whitecotton was a member of the group that went.
After Mr. McCleery's death, Fred Cross went to the cemetery in San Angelo and found his grave. Needless to say, the conversations were very interesting, at times sad, at times very funny.
His photo and citation have a prominent place in our Legion meeting hall.- Brad Thompson
Epilog:
Brad Thompson a Legionnaire who at the age of 91 completed his 68th year of membership in July of 2014, has served Post 240 in most all officer positions the last being Historian, a position he held for many years. He continues to attend meetings on a regular basis and is always available for advice on all matters. His knowledge of Post history is extraordinary. He continues to maintain a superb, high quality scrapbook collection of photographs, newspaper and other items related to Post 240 historical events. His collection of 13 large leather or vinyl bound scrapbooks, each being 1.5” – 2” thick is a wealth of Post 240 historical data. So, when the decision to add the Finnis Dawson McCleery bio to the Centennial Celebration timeline we relied on Brad Thompson's vast knowledge of post history.
(Post 240 Honorary Life Member, Brad Thompson (8/2/1923 - 1/23/2016) reported to Post Everlasting January 23, 2016)
