David H. McNerney

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David H. McNerney
Born June 2, 1931 (1931-06-02) (age 77)
David McNerney in 2005
David McNerney in 2005
Place of birth Lowell, Massachusetts
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank First Sergeant
Unit 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Medal of Honor

David H. McNerney (born June 2, 1931) is a retired 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.

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[edit] Biography

David Herbert McNerney was born on June 2, 1931, in Lowell, Massachusetts. His family moved to Houston, Texas, where McNerney attended St. Thomas High School.

McNerney joined the Navy in 1949 after high school graduation. He was discharged from the Navy in 1952. He joined the Army that same year at Fort Bliss, Texas. McNerney was deployed to Korea during the Korean War and served two tours of duty.

By March 22, 1967 McNerney was serving as a first sergeant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On that day, in polei Doc, Republic of Vietnam, McNerney's unit came under attack by North Vietnamese forces. Despite being wounded early in the battle, he assumed command of the unit when the company commander was killed, organized the defense, and helped arrange a helicopter evacuation of the wounded. He refused his own medical evacuation and instead stayed with the company until a new commander arrived. For his actions during the battle, McNerney was awarded the Medal of Honor.

McNerney served four tours of duty during the Vietnam War.

He retired from the Army while still a first sergeant.

Following his retirement from the United States Army in 1969, McNerney was employed by the United States Customs Service in Houston, Texas as a Customs Inspector - he retired from that position in 1995.

On August 24, 2004, McNerney donated his Medal of Honor to his alma mata - St. Thomas High School along with a scrapbook of photos picturing him with President Johnson, General William Westmoreland, and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara at a ceremony inducting him into the school's Hall of Honor.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

First Sergeant McNerney's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

1st Sgt. McNerney distinguished himself when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion near polei Doc. Running through the hail of enemy fire to the area of heaviest contact, he was assisting in the development of a defensive perimeter when he encountered several enemy at close range. He killed the enemy but was painfully injured when blown from his feet by a grenade. In spite of this injury, he assaulted and destroyed an enemy machinegun position that had pinned down 5 of his comrades beyond the defensive line. Upon learning his commander and artillery forward observer had been killed, he assumed command of the company. He adjusted artillery fire to within 20 meters of the position in a daring measure to repulse enemy assaults. When the smoke grenades used to mark the position were gone, he moved into a nearby clearing to designate the location to friendly aircraft. In spite of enemy fire he remained exposed until he was certain the position was spotted and then climbed into a tree and tied the identification panel to its highest branches. Then he moved among his men readjusting their position, encouraging the defenders and checking the wounded. As the hostile assaults slackened, he began clearing a helicopter landing site to evacuate the wounded. When explosives were needed to remove large trees, he crawled outside the relative safety of his perimeter to collect demolition material from abandoned rucksacks. Moving through a fusillade of fire he returned with the explosives that were vital to the clearing of the landing zone. Disregarding the pain of his injury and refusing medical evacuation 1st Sgt. McNerney remained with his unit until the next day when the new commander arrived. First Sgt. McNerney's outstanding heroism and leadership were inspirational to his comrades. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

[edit] See also

United States Army Portal

[edit] References