VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH
Hero in Our Midst: Lieutenant Clebe McClary

Helen Mooradkanian - Hero Columnist

Heavy rain and fog shrouded the jungles of Vietnam like a canopy on March 3, 1968. Shortly after midnight, a 26-year old Marine, Second Lieutenant Clebe McClary, Pawleys Island, SC, lay dying on Hill #46. He had been leading his 13-man patrol on reconnaissance deep into uncharted territory behind enemy lines before a planned attack involving several thousand troops. They were in the Quan Duc Valley, southwest of An Hoa, an American base for helicopters and planes.

Suddenly the 13 Marines were ambushed by more than 200 North Vietnamese armed with mortars, automatic weapons, and hand grenades.

McClary, a platoon leader in the 1st Marine Division’s 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, had successfully completed 18 patrols, more than any other lieutenant in his battalion, without losing a man. Now his team was nearly wiped out on this, his 19th patrol since arriving in Nam the previous October.

McClary himself was virtually dead. At least that’s what the North Vietnamese soldier thought as he aimed a final bullet to McClary’s head. That’s also what the chopper crew thought when they finally got through the fog to pick up the wounded on Hill #46.

Delivered from death

Three grenades had ripped through McClary’s body. Another explosive device had hurled him through the air. His left eye was torn from its socket. Blood covered his face completely. Left arm ripped off below the elbow. Both eardrums shattered. Right hand mutilated. Legs shredded like hamburger. Severe trauma to the head.

Yet he would not surrender. Between the rounds of grenades that hit him, McClary had picked up his shotgun and engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. Despite excruciating pain, he resolutely moved among his men, from one position to another, encouraging them and directing their fire. Until he fell to the ground, unconscious.

For his inspiring leadership and bravery, McClary was awarded three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star.

Before that fateful night had ended, Clebe McClary was to cheat death three more times. At the end, a Navy corpsman refused to leave him for dead. Risking his own life, he dragged Clebe 50 yards into an awaiting chopper then held onto him, legs dangled outside, as the chopper took off. A moment later 150 North Vietnamese stormed Hill #46…

Broken body but spirit strong

As traumatic as that night and his combat wounds were, McClary was severely tested even more during his recovery. He spent more than two years in military hospitals, going through 30 to 40 critical surgeries, followed by intensive rounds of physical therapy that never ended.

“When I returned home from Vietnam, I faced at least 40 major surgeries. The doctors told me I would never walk again. I could not feed or dress myself, and my mental wounds were even more serious than my physical wounds.”

At times he got discouraged. At times he got depressed. And yes, he thought, “Why me, Lord?” Yet he never stopped there. He always looked beyond his limitations to what he had the ability to do. Most of all, he grew impatient. A former athlete, he never lost his will to overcome adversity. And he never became bitter.

His faith played a key role in his recovery. As he writes in his book “Living Proof” (foreword by Tom Landry), he persevered, believing that God had a purpose for his life. Miraculously, he recovered from his injuries. Although doctors had told him he would never stand up or walk on his own, McClary was able to recover full use of his legs—and walk.

“I never thought I’d be hit in Vietnam. It wasn’t arrogance but rather confidence in myself, my men, and in God who had seen us safely through danger time and time again.”

“While in Nam, I sensed that God was leading me and my men for a special reason. When our chopper safely straddled mines that should have blown us away, I knew we were in divine custody. Family and friends bombarded Heaven with prayers for my safekeeping. More than one church had me on its prayer list.

“I did what was expected of a Christian—attended chapel services when near the base, filled in if a chaplain was unavailable.” But later, during his time of severe testing, he realized something was missing. There was something more to life.

Two life-changing moments

Two key events changed the course of his life. The first occurred just after he had begun coaching football at the University of South Carolina, a long-standing dream. One day he witnessed student demonstrators on a college campus burn the American flag to protest the Vietnam War. Deeply angered by this desecration, McClary immediately resigned his coaching position and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The second occurred during his recovery. While on leave from a hospital in South Carolina, he attended an evangelistic crusade at the football stadium where he had starred in many games and coached several teams. It was sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and featured former New York Yankee second baseman Bobby Richardson, who gave his testimony.

Deeply touched by both the message and Richardson’s testimony, McClary suddenly realized he was doing all the “right things” for the “wrong reasons.” He writes, “I never drank or smoked in order to become a good athlete and impress people. I was a good person, playing the role people expected of me. I grew up in the church and believed in the Bible, tithing, good morals but I had never invited Jesus Christ into my heart as Savior and the Lord of my life.” That night, both Clebe and his wife went forward to make their commitment.

“Now,” he says, “I’ve joined the greatest Army that has ever marched, the Army of Jesus Christ. God’s purpose for my life has now become clear.”

Adversity births new beginning

Today Lieutenant Clebe McClary, U.S. Marine Corps (ret.) has a whole new career as one of the nation’s most sought-after motivational speakers. He is using his powerful story of courage, determination and inner strength to inspire audiences around the world. His more than 7,500 speaking engagements have taken him to all 50 states and 30 nations.

He has addressed professional athletes, corporations, military bases and professional associations. Baseball teams include: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, and Milwaukee Brewers. Football teams include: New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings.

Through his Wounded Warrior Ministry, part of the Clebe McClary Evangelistic Association, he ministers to combat veterans and their families, at a beautiful facility he built in Pawleys Island, SC.
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From nightmares to hope

“The nightmare of Vietnam is not easily forgotten,” he says. “The horror of that midnight on Hill #46 will never be erased.” Yet three mottos help him. FIDO: “Forget It and Drive On.” PRIDE: “Personal Responsibility in Daily Effort.” PATCH: “Positive Attitude that Characterizes Hope.”

“Life’s tough. Are you going to get bitter, or are you going to get better?

“Remember, God has a purpose and plan for your life.” As it is written: “He will transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.”


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All pictures and written material are (C) Copyright, Tom Duggan & Valley Patriot, Inc., 2012, All rights reserved

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