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By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs
FORT CARSON, Colo. – Medal of Honor Recipient retired 1st Sgt. David McNerney was at Fort Carson, Colo., during the 4th Infantry Division Association's reunion to take part in the festivities and to be honored during a July 19 barracks rededication ceremony.
Building 2051 was initially dedicated Nov. 10, 2000. However, McNerney was unable to attend that ceremony due to a family illness. His attendance made this ceremony all the more special for his former Soldiers.
"He took care of us and you don't understand that during the war," said former Sgt. David Derita, a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment at the time McNerney distinguished himself and earned the Medal of Honor. "He lived his life respecting everybody but being the toughest he could be, the most honest he could be and the bravest man I've ever known in my life."
While earning praises from his former Soldiers and standing in front of a building dedicated in his honor, McNerney remained humble.
"It's really fantastic that they thought enough of me to do that," the Crosby, Texas, resident said about having a barracks dedicated in his honor.
McNerney was the first sergeant of Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment during the Vietnam Conflict. For his actions on March 22, 1967, he earned the Medal of Honor. The citation reads in part, "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 repulsed 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."
These actions, along with assisting in evacuating the wounded, setting up a defensive perimeter and remaining in command until a new commander arrived the following day earned the respect and admiration of every Soldier who served in his company.
"I served in a lot of units and he is the epitome of what an NCO is," said retired Lt. Col. Richard Sauer who was a platoon leader in Company A when McNerney earned the Medal of Honor. "He was hard, he was incredibly knowledgeable but he loved his men and he took care of them. He was the only first sergeant I knew in Vietnam that walked with the infantry company." Derita added, "I'm glad to be here and "Top" won't let me say it, but I love him to death."
Current Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division inhabit the barracks dedicated in McNerney's honor. During the week-long reunion, McNerney was able to interact with some of the Striker Brigade Soldiers as they continue to prepare for a future deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. McNerney offered a bit of the same advice to today's Soldiers as he told his troops in 1967.
"I hope that they took my citation and what I said today to heart. They've got to know their weapons, they've got to know their equipment, they've got to be well-trained and they've got to be aggressive," he said.
| Date Taken: | 07.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2007 14:21 |
| Story ID: | 11472 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 253 |
| Downloads: | 135 |
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