Retired First Sergeant David McNerny will be honored as a Medal of Honor recipient ” the United States highest award for valor-- at the Radisson Hotel & Suites Austin Town Lake tonight at 6pm.
McNerny is being honored by the National Guard Association of Texas (NGAT) and the Texas Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). McNerney will be the special guest of the Texas State Guard Association-Trust (TSGA-Trust).
Information provided by the Texas State Guard association:
McNerny was assisting in the development of a defensive perimeter when he encountered several enemy at close range. He was blown from his feet by a grenade. In spite of this injury, he assaulted and destroyed an enemy machinegun position that had pinned down five of his comrades beyond the defensive line. Upon learning his commander and artillery forward observer had been killed, he assumed command of the company. He adjusted artillery fire to within 20 meters of his position in a daring measure to repulse enemy assaults. When the smoke grenades used to mark the position were gone, he moved into a clearing to designate the location to friendly aircraft. He remained exposed until he was certain the position was spotted and then climbed into a tree and tied the identification panel to its highest branches. As the hostile assaults slackened, he began clearing a helicopter landing site to evacuate the wounded. When explosives were needed to remove large trees, he crawled outside the perimeter to collect demolition material from abandoned rucksacks. Moving through a fusillade of fire he returned with the explosives that were vital to the clearing of the landing zone.
Military service runs in the family: David McNerney's father, Edward McNerney, earned the Distinguished Service Cross in World War I; two of David McNerney's brothers served in World War II; and another brother served as a Navy pilot in Vietnam.
The ceremony tonight caps a weekend of NGAT/ESGR CONFERENCE events at the Radisson.
The Radisson Hotel & Suites Austin and its signature TGIF restaurant are located at First and Congress along the shores of Town Lake next to the hike and bike trail and within walking distance to businesses, the Convention Center, Austin's Warehouse and 6th Street Entertainment District and other points of interest. Guests and locals enjoy the relaxing lobby, which includes a fireplace, cozy seating, lobby bar service, free wireless Internet access, as well as a full-service Starbucks®.
The hotel offers upscale accommodations in a unique downtown/lakeside setting. The 413 room hotel features 99 two-room suites and 314 guest rooms, many with views of Town Lake. Whether you need to hold a small executive meeting or a function for 600 people, the Radisson Hotel and Suites Austin Town Lake has flexible meeting space for all your event needs. For reservations visit http://www.radisson.com/austintx/ or call toll free (800) 333-3333.