TFH 3/22: First Sergeant David H. McNerney, USA

David McNerney was born in Lowell, MA on June 2, 1931. He first served our Nation during the Korean War as a member of the United States Navy, serving from 1949-1952. In 1953, he joined the United States Army.

While fighting in Vietnam forty-five years ago today as a member of the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment - part of the 4th Infantry Division - an attack by an enemy battalion killed the company commander and many others in the command group. It fell to First Sergeant McNerney to assume command under heavy attack and rally his beleaguered unit. His courage and leadership carried the day, and earned for him the highest recognition our Nation can give.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (M-Z):


McNERNEY, DAVID H. 


Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. place and date: polei Doc, Republic of Vietnam, 22 March 1967. Entered service at: Fort Bliss, Tex. Born: 2 June 1931, Lowell, Mass. Citation: 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. 

David McNerney left the Army in 1969. He died of natural causes on October 10, 2010 and is buried in Houston National Cemetery. His Vietnam-era unit, 1st Battalion/8th Infantry, is still part of the 4th Infantry Division, specifically the division's 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team and is based at Fort Carson, CO.