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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
1st Sgt. David H. McNerney, US Army
CITATION:
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, Texas Born: 2 June 1931, Lowell, Massachusetts 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 machine gun 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 First 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.
Renovation at the 4th Infantry Division Museum Fort Hood, Texas
The Wall of Honor at the opening ceremonies, 28 July 1999.
A stained glass window in the center portrays the Medal of Honor.
The renovation at the 4th Infantry Division Museum is complete. The work included the construction of a new building to house exhibits, a complete rearrangement of the museums historical vehicle collection, and the construction of the Wall of Honor.
The grand opening ceremony took place in front of the Wall of Honor on 28 July 1999. The 240-foot-long wall includes a stained glass window in the center, depicting the Congressional Medal of Honor. Flanking the window are bronze plaques honoring twenty of the Divisions Medal of Honor recipients. Future additions are planned.
The museums new building is located just south of the old building and is connected by a covered walkway. Museum staff built new exhibits for the new building, which also opened on 28 July. Exhibits telling the history of the 4th Infantry Division in World Wars I and II are in the new building, while the exhibits in the old building depicts the history of the division from 1950 to the present day, the early Camp Hood and the Tank Destroyer Force. The old building still retains the museums offices, library, and gift shop. The new building effectively doubled the amount of exhibit space available for the museum and offers full security and fire protection for the artifacts exhibited.
The historical vehicle collection is now arranged by chronological/topical order. In order to accommodate the expanded vehicle collection, the museums parking lot was destroyed and relocated to the east. The street between the museum and 4th Infantry Division headquarters building was also demolished and converted to museum grounds. The museum grounds now flow into the divisions parade field.
Maj. Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin, Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division, Mr. Robert Babcock, President, 4th Infantry Division Association, and 1st Sgt. (Ret.) David H. McNerney, 4th Infantry Division Medal of Honor recipient, jointly cut the ribbon to officially open the new grounds, building, and the Wall of Honor. Other guests at the ceremony included Lt. Gen. Leon LaPorte, Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood, as well as many 4th Infantry Division Association members. Also present for the ceremony was Mr. Judson Bennett.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the dignified unveiling of each of the bronze plaques for the 4th Infantry Divisions Medal of Honor recipients, followed by a moving rendition of the song "Some Gave All" by the 4th Infantry Division Band.
The museum staff plans additional grounds and building improvements over the next few years, to include adding another 1400 feet of sidewalks, further landscaping of the grounds, and continued exhibit upgrades.
L-r: Maj. Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin, Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Sgt. (Ret) David H. McNerney, Medal of Honor recipient, and Mr. Robert Babcock, President, 4th Infantry Division Association.
The hours of operation at the 4th Infantry Division Museum are MondayFriday, 09001600, and SaturdaySunday, 12001600; admission is free. For information, call DSN 737-8811 or (254) 287-8811.
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