Rank: Platoon Sergeant
Unit: 919th Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 12B – Combat Engineer
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 7-Mar-1931
Hometown: Gaffney, South Carolina
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 6-Jun-1951
Start of tour: 9-Mar-1967
Incident date: 29-Mar-1967
Date of casualty: 29-Mar-1967
Age at death: 36
Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire.
John Willard Clary was on reconnaissance patrol when hit by hostile small arms fire.
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Frederick Memorial Gardens, Gaffney, South Carolina, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
PLATOON SERGEANT JOHN WILLARD CLARY
16 MARCH 1967 TO 29 MARCH 1967
919TH ENGINEER COMPANY
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Platoon Sergeant Clary distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force during the period 16 March 1967 to 29 March 1967 while serving as Platoon Sergeant of the 2d Platoon, 919th Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. During this period he exhibited outstanding leadership traits as his unit participated in Operation JUNCTION CITY II. For four days during this operation, Sergeant Clary performed in a dual capacity as Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant while providing exemplary engineer support to the regiment. He constantly strived for excellence, regardless of the task, and consistently demonstrated superb leadership ability, finding it necessary to divide his platoon to provide more effective support, Sergeant Clary chose to remain with those elements sweeping for mines through enemy infested jungle. During the sweep, he courageously preceded the mine detecting teams in an attempt to locate probable mine locations and suspected ambush sites. While leading the search on 29 March 1967, Sergeant Clary detected a concealed Viet Cong position, Realizing the extreme danger to the men behind him, he drew the enemy’s fire and was mortally wounded in the ensuing battle. His bold courage, outstanding leadership qualities, and deep concern for the welfare of his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 812 (17 May 1967)