Talon Soldiers conduct Funeral for MOH Recipient

By MAJ Bradley Helton, HQ, 2-8 IN

On Saturday, October 16, 2010, a detail of eighteen NCOs and Soldiers led by 1SG
Gregg Smith from B Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment had the honor of
conducting the Full Honors Funeral at the Houston National Cemetery for Medal of
Honor recipient and 4th Infantry Division Vietnam Veteran 1SG David H. McNerney. Full
Honors Funerals are normally conducted by the Old Guard at Arlington, however, 1SG
McNerney had specially requested that the Division, of which he was so proud, conduct
his funeral.

A few leaders traveled to Houston several weeks in advance to coordinate details of the
funeral with friends, family, the funeral home, church, local agencies and the Houston
National Cemetery. The group also had the honor of meeting 1SG McNerney.
Meanwhile, Soldiers from the 2-8 IN trained hard to prepare themselves to serve as the
Firing and Pallbearer Details from the first moment that the funeral appeared to be
imminent. Part of this training included ensuring all Soldiers learned as much about
1SG McNerney as possible. The Soldiers departed for Houston feeling truly privileged to
be a part of the event.
The funeral was undoubtedly one of the grandest that Houston has ever seen. The
patriotic community lined the roads for several miles with American flags from the
church in Crosby to the interstate. No fewer than forty police cars escorted the
procession to the cemetery. Several hundred Patriot Guard Riders also rendered their
respects. Reflecting the significance of 1SG McNerney’s service, General Thurman,
current FORSCOM Commander and a former Commanding General of the 4th Infantry
Division, spoke at the funeral on behalf of the Army while Brigadier General Doty and
CSM John Kurak represented the 4th Infantry Division. The Texas National Guard also
provided Apaches to fly over. And the Soldiers from Talon performed their solemn
duties.

The funeral will carry meaning for the Soldiers on the detail for rest of their lives. As
SGT Jeff Henley, a native of the Houston area stated that the opportunity to serve as the
Pallbearer NCOIC for a local hero was a particularly special honor. He said “we tried to
make it as perfect as perfect could be.” A veteran of several military funerals, SGT
Henley was also struck by the extent to which 1SG McNerney disregarded his personal
safety to save his Company. SSG William Feldhahn, Firing Detail NCOIC, said that all of
the Soldiers considered their involvement in the detail to be a “huge honor” and a
“memorable experience.” He felt that the Soldiers especially valued hearing how much
1SG McNerney loved his country, and it made them all wonder “whether or not we do
enough.”

The Talon Soldiers did a splendid job and General Thurman expressed his appreciation
for their efforts to both General Casey and Major General Perkins.