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Belvedere Memorial Park

Born:  December 25, 1927 at Stephenville, TX

Entered Service in the US Army from San Angelo, TX

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism May 14, 1968 at Quang Tin Province, Vietnam

Platoon Sergeant McCleery led his men up a 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 he rose from his sheltered position and began a one-man assault on the bunker complex. He moved across 60 meters of open ground as bullets struck all around him. As he came within 30 meters of the key enemy bunker, he began firing furiously from the hip and throwing grenades. He was painfully wounded by shrapnel, but continued his advance on the key bunker and killed all of its occupants. He then atop it and, in full view of the enemy, shouted encouragement to his men to follow his assault. As the friendly forces moved forward, he 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. Platoon Sergeant McCleery is personally credited with eliminating several key enemy positions and inspiring the assault that resulted in gaining control of Hill 352.