War hero to address Okinawa, Sasebo units

[thedrifter]

War hero to address Okinawa, Sasebo units


By Fred Zimmerman, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, February 11, 2004


Author and motivational speaker Clebe McClary is scheduled to pass on his life view of “press on regardless” at a dozen events on Okinawa from Feb. 14 to 19.

McClary, a professional motivational speaker for 25 years, wrote the book “Living Proof” and, with his wife, Deanna, co-authored “Commitment to Love.” Also, a documentary, “Portrait of an American Hero,” was made about McClary’s life.

McClary is a former Marine officer who served with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. When his unit engaged in hand-to-hand combat with enemy troops, he lost both his left arm and eye — but continued to lead his men in the fighting.

McClary’s seven injuries required 34 reconstructive surgeries. He received three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for his service.

McClary’s Okinawa speaking schedule:

Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m., Professional Military Education (PME) at Camp Schwab.
Sunday, 9 to 10 a.m., service at Chapel One on Kadena Air Base.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to noon, worship service at Camp Hansen’s West Chapel.
Sunday, 6 to 7 p.m., special event at Central Baptist Church in Ginowan.
Feb. 17, 6:30 to 8 a.m., National Prayer Breakfast at Camp Kinser Galley.
Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., luncheon at the Habu Pit on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
Feb. 17, 1 to 2 p.m., PME at the Camp Foster Theater.
Feb. 18, 8 to 9:30 a.m., Core Values/Leadership PME at the Camp Courtney Chapel.
Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., General Military Training at White Beach.
Feb. 18, 1 to 2 p.m., PME at White Beach.
Feb. 19, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., National Prayer Breakfast at Camp Hansen.
Feb. 19, 9 to 10 a.m., PME at the Camp Hansen Theater.
McClary and his wife are to travel to Sasebo Naval Base Feb. 20 for these presentations that day:

7:30 a.m., Leadership Breakfast at the base’s Shogun Cafe
9:30 a.m., shore-based personnel all-hands presentation at the Community and Education Center Auditorium.
1:30 p.m., sea-based personnel all-hands presentation at the Community and Education Center Auditorium.
3:30 p.m., open session at the Community and Education Center Auditorium.
Deanna McClary will speak at a luncheon planned at the Harbor View Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The McClarys are to travel next to Yokosuka Naval Base, where they will remain until Feb. 22.

For more information call DSN 642-2223.

http://www.estripes.com/photos/20370_210172624b.jpg

Clebe McClary

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=19628&archive=true


Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

[namgrunt]

Man-O-Man! Lt.McClary should have gotten the Navy Cross for his actions. Lost an arm and an eye, but still fought on? That is outstanding by my book. If I ever meet him, I'll shake his hand and buy him a drink.

Semper Fi!
Namgrunt

[Super Dave]

Clebe McClary, CSP,1st Lt USMC (Ret) is one of the most outstanding, motivational and inspirational speakers in America. He has spoken to many corporate groups, plus over 50,000 officers for Maxwell Air Force Base Squadron Officers School alone, teaching them fundamental leadership skills. He is a war hero, a Vietnam Vet, a U.S. Marine. Assigned as platoon leader 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Lt. McClary's unit engaged in hand to hand battle with the enemy. While losing both his left arm and eye, he continued to lead his men. He was injured 7 times and had 34 operations. Awarded three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his bravery, he has also received other awards: Young Man of the Year, Outstanding Young Man of America, Texas Man of Valor Award, George Washington Medal of Freedom, Gen. Omar Bradley Spirit of Independence Award. He is co-author of "Living Proof" and, with his wife, "Commitment to Love." A documentary of his life, "Portrait of an American Hero" is available on VHS video. He is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), awarded by the National Speakers Association, and he has spoken for more than 20 years worldwide. His message of courage, determination and dedication will compel you to soar beyond your limits!

[MillRatUSMC]

Little more information on Major Clebe McClary USMC (retired)
http://www.estripes.com/photos/20370_210172624b.jpg


Living Proof", and made into a movie called, "Clebe McClary:Portrait of An American Hero".

Perhaps you will enjoy, as many thousands of others have, reading this true story of how a young Marine lieutenant with 12 others were overrun by over 150 North Vietnamese soldiers, ran out of ammo, fought hand to hand for their lives, and how the story ends. Here it is:

"If there was a perfect place for a boy to grow up, I guess my childhood home would have been one. A 10, 000 acre plantation near Georgetown, SC, gave me plenty of opportunities to hunt and fish and just enjoy nature.

My folks were strict, but loving. They made sure that I went to Sunday school. My father, a 6-foot, 210 Scotch-Irishman, would say, "Clebe, go to church." And that's exactly what I did. Throughout my youth I was faithful and active in my church. Yet, I never met Christ or surrendered my life to Him.

After college I taught in high school for three years and coached championship teams. During this time I met and married my wife Deanna. She was a beauty queen in South Carolina and her outward beauty was surpassed by her inward grace and gentleness.

At the same time, Vietnam was putting our country in a great deal of turmoil. I felt it was my responsibility to do what I could, so I enlisted in the Marine Corps. Following training in Quantico, VA, I got my orders to go to Vietnam.

As a lieutenant I often led reconnaissance, or "recon" patrols. Recon patrols were conducted deep in enemy territory to report on their activity. Each of these missions was a dangerous endeavor, but not until the 19th, and longest patrol, had I faced death so certainly.

Leading a patrol of 13 men, we went into a valley where very few of our troops had been. We stopped for the night on the top of a hill. Three men dug a foxhole to my right; my doc and radio man were in a foxhole to my left. I got into a punji pit and eight men around the edges of a large bomb crater about 50 meters behind me. About midnight I thought I heard some enemy movement.

Climbing out of the punji pit to see if the men on my right had heard the same noise, a grenade exploded hitting me in the neck and shoulder.

As I grabbed the radio and started calling for air support and artillery, a sapper unit, better known as a suicide squad, of about ten of the enemy started running up the hill. With grenades tied around their waists and grenades in each hand, they were literally coming up the hill exploding, killing themselves trying to kill us.

One of them stood right above me. I shot him with my 12-gauge shotgun and he fell into the pit with me. His satchel charge exploded blowing both of us out of the hole.

As I was going through the air all I could think of was, "Man, where's my shotgun?" As I reached back for it, I realized my left arm had been blown off by the blast. I looked to my feet; my radio man and my doc were dead or unconscious. Then I heard the three men on the right cry out and discovered that a grenade had gone into their foxhole.

A black Marine, PFC Ralph Johnson smothered it with his body and gave his life to save the other two Marines with him. He was later posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for heroism. I started crawling toward them and before I got there another grenade came in. As I threw up my right hand, the explosion blew out my left eye and many of my teeth on that side. A good bit of the use of my right hand was gone.

Things were looking tough and I thought my only chance was to get back to the bomb crater where the eight men were fighting. I tried running, but a couple of grenades knocked me down.

I lay there for what seemed like hours. I had never wanted to live so badly in all of my life. If I could only see my wife one more time ... she and I were supposed to have met in Hawaii next week. But lying there I doubted that I would ever see Deanna again.

Later I heard some movement in the bushes behind me. One of the enemy came up and shot me in the right arm. Another stuck a North Vietnamese flag up about 15 feet from my head. I thought it was all over. Then I heard a voice call, "Lieutenant! Lieutenant!" It was an 18 year old Marine from Alaska, Rod Hunter. He crouched down by my feet and picked enemy off just as they were coming up the hill. At the same time, Corporal Lucas, who had already won a Silver Star in Vietnam, crawled out of the bomb crater and also was returning fire. I told him to take over.

"Try to get helicopters to come after us." He radioed for choppers but they said they couldn't come until daylight (it was 2:45 AM). I told him, "Tell them to forget it. We won't be here at daylight. We're out of grenades and throwing rocks."

He relayed this to the chopper pilots and instead of waiting, they came right then. It was just 3:00 AM when they put my two dead men, the four wounded, and me on the first bird. As it lifted, the second helicopter landed. The last seven men dropped their packs, weapons - everything - and jumped on. As it lifted off the ground about 150 or more of the enemy swarmed over the top of the hill. In a few more minutes, not one of us would have gotten off that hill alive.

We were flown to the hospital at Danang, then on to Japan for more surgery and then to Bethesda, MD. Here Deanna joined me in my recuperation. Her love and encouragement gave me strength to rebuild my life. After further operations, endless physical therapy sessions and overwhelming pain and anxiety, I finally was strong enough to go home to South Carolina.

A true hero if ever there was one!
The media focus on many wantabee that claim to be homeless and neglect many like Major Clebe McClary USMC (retired).

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo

[MillRatUSMC]

In contrast to actions taken by Ron Kovic and John Forbes Kerry, Major Clebe McCary USMC (retired) actions are all positive.
While Ron Kovic and John Forbes Kerry were in the negative.
Ron Koviv was enlisted, John Forbes Kerry was a naval Officer.
After all the injuries to his body, Major Clebe McCary has given speeches that motivate.
I wonder what made the difference in all of these three men?

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo

[MillRatUSMC]

http://www.alternet.org/print.html?StoryID=16214

I forgot to post this url on a story on Ron Kovic.
How would we describe Ron?
Former Marine. ex-Marine or Marine.
He has been outspoken on war, by the Constitution that we swore to protect and defend, it's his God given right....
We might not like what he has to say...that our God given right...

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo