Douglas MacArthur McCrary
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Douglas MacArthur McCrary was born on 13 March 1942 in Greenville County, SC, the son of Wayman H. and Thelma Armstrong McCrary. He was a graduate of Berea High School with the Class of 1960 and graduated from Clemson University in 1965. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the U.S. Army on 28 November 1965.

On 16 February 1967, First Lieutenant Douglas MacArthur McCrary was serving with 2nd Platoon, Company C, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airborne), in South Vietnam.

On that day, 1LT McCrary was the 2nd Platoon leader with elements of the 7th Cavalry engaged with a well-entrenched enemy force. When the 2 lead platoons came under intense insurgent fire, 1LT McCrary directed a 12-man security team forward to outflank the hostile positions. However, as the team approached the objective, it was pinned down by fire from concealed enemy bunkers. Realizing the urgency of the situation, 1LT McCrary maneuvered the rest of the platoon toward the besieged force. After advancing to a position near the team, he called for his men to provide suppressive fire as he crawled across the bullet-swept field alone. Upon reaching the stranded element, 1LT McCrary began to move among the men, treating the wounded and shouting encouragement. Seeing one stricken man lying exposed across a dike, he tossed a smoke grenade to provide cover and then charged forward through the enemy fire. As he started to pull the man to safety, the smoke dissipated and 1LT McCrary was mortally wounded. 1LT McCrary's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Douglas MacArthur McCrary (ASN: 0-5324222), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airborne). First Lieutenant McCrary distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 February 1967 while serving as a platoon leader with elements of the 7th Cavalry engaged with a well entrenched enemy force. When the two lead platoons came under intense insurgent fire, Lieutenant McCrary quickly directed a twelve man security team forward to outflank the hostile positions. However, as the team approached the objective, it was suddenly pinned down by devastating fire from concealed enemy bunkers. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Lieutenant McCrary started maneuvering the rest of the platoon toward the besieged force. After advancing to a position near the team, he called for his men to provide suppressive fire as he fearlessly crawled across the bullet-swept field alone. Upon reaching the stranded element, Lieutenant McCrary began to move among the endangered men, treating the wounded and shouting encouragement. Seeing one stricken man lying exposed across a dike, he tossed a smoke grenade to provide cover and then charged forward through a hail of insurgent bullets. But as he started to pull the man to safety, the smoke dissipated and Lieutenant McCrary was mortally wounded. His boundless courage and selfless sacrifice in trying to save a fellow soldier will serve as a source of lasting inspiration to all those who knew him. First Lieutenant McCrary's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2165 (May 14, 1967)

Honors

The name Douglas M McCrary is located on Panel 15E Line 49 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

First Lieutenant Douglas MacArthur McCrary is buried at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Travelers Rest, Greenville County, SC.

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