VIETNAM - CLARY, JOHN WILLARD

Clary, John Willard

VIETNAM - CLARY, JOHN WILLARD
CLARY, JOHN WILLARD

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

View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 17E 067 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

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)