First Sargent David Herbert McNerney(retired) is a member of American Legion Post 658 and is a Medal of Honor recipient. Listed below is his citation and a link to the documentary "Honor in the valley of Tears"

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.

To view video clips - Click Here

On September 7, 2010, the Crosby High School JROTC department conducted a ceremony that named the future JROTC facility in honor of Medal of Honor recipient First Sergeant David H. McNerney who is one of only 88 living Medal of Honor recipients. The Crosby Independent School District board had voted to build the JROTC facility and to name the facility after First Sergeant David H. McNerney. The Crosby Independent School District was presented with a petition to name the JROTC facility that was gathered by members of American Legion Post 658.

First Sergeant David H. McNerney was awarded the Medal of Honor for outstanding heroism and leadership when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion near Polei Doc, Viet Nam in 1967.

The JROTC program was launched by Crosby High School in 2002 under the leadership of Major Quenton Farr and Sergeant First Class Timothy Meadows. Cadets within the program have performed over 65 activities per year including color guard, competitions, and numerous hours of community and school support. The JROTC program has earned the highest award of Honor Unit With Distinction on two consecutive federal inspections in 2007 and 2010. . The mission of JROTC is “To motivate young people to be better citizens.”

September 11, 2010

American Legion Post 658 of Crosby, Texas dedicated a monument to honor Medal of Honor recipient David McNerney. This celebration was attend by the community and numerous men of Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. These men credit David McNerney with saving their lives on the day that David McNerney was awarded the Medal of Honor.

McNerney affectionately referes to them as his "boys".

This dedication was also attended by two other Medal of Honor recipients

On McNerney"s right is Clarence Sasser and to his left is Michael Thornton. Cleck HERE to view Sasser's Medal of Honor citation. Cleck HERE to view Thornton's Medal of Honor citation.

Oct 6 2011



Solidiers past and present gathered at Fort Carson, Colorado to honor the final wish of Medal of Honor recipient David McNerney to return his medal to the 4th Infantry Division. David McNerney had always said that the medal belonged to all the men of his company, and that he just had the honor of wearing it. In a moving ceremony at Fort Carson, the family of David McNerney honored his final wish. "This is the first time time that this sort of bequest has ever been done," said Brig. Gen. James H. Doty, acting senior commander,4th Int, Div.and Fort Carson. McNerney's metal is now on permanent display at the Mountain Post Historical Center