Remarks by Major General David Huntoon at the Funeral of
First Lt.
Michael Cleary '03
Good morning. My name is David Huntoon, and on behalf of the
Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army I am here to honor and
remember First Lieutenant Michael Cleary. LT Cleary gave his life
for his country while assigned as 2d Platoon
Leader, E Co, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry,
3rd Infantry Division, on duty in Iraq. Michael led a
well trained and disciplined team of Soldiers whose job it was to defuse
improvised explosive devices and mines
in his area of operations. There are few
missions in Iraq that call for more courage and that are so directly connected to the saving
of lives. Given Michael's commitment to
serve his country, his patriotism, and his compassion for others, this
dangerous duty was a natural mission for him.
We mourn his loss, we honor his service, and we offer our condolences to
his family for their sacrifice. Michael's sacrifice answered a high
calling, one that we will never forget. Michael and his platoon operated long day in
and long day out to protect the citizens of Iraq, and to
build the stability that Iraq must have
to regain its sovereignty and freedom. Time
and again I have seen the nobility of that work from all our Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines. It is humbling and
inspiring to see our troops so committed to their difficult work, a commitment
borne of the certainty that their cause is honorable and just.
It is clear from the words
spoken at this service that Michael cared deeply about his Nation, about his
friends, family, and his Soldiers. It was also clear to the U.S. Army that he was an exceptional leader who
always volunteered for the tough missions, and always looked out for his
troops. Michael completed the Army's Officer Candidate School, airborne school,
and the elite sapper school at the Engineer Center before joining the legendary Third Infantry Division. His Battalion
Commander in Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Gary Brito, tells us: "I
had the pleasure of working with Mike from the day he arrived to the battalion
fresh out of the engineer basic course. He was full of energy and had a
trademark smile that motivated us all. I was comfortable giving Mike any
task knowing that he would get it done. I trusted him fully. Mike
was not only a talented engineer, he was a star soccer player. In Iraq, we put together a team to play a
Thanksgiving Day soccer game against a company of Republic of Georgia Army soldiers attached to the battalion. Mike
coached our battalion team. Both the Georgians and the Americans had a
blast.
Mike was
the kind of person that was well liked by everyone. His soldiers adored
him. Please share with his family and friends that he meant a lot to many of us
and will forever remain in our prayers. God Bless you all."
His company commander in Iraq, Captain Stephen Miller, tells us:
"Mike Cleary was one of the best officers I have ever worked with. If
anyone could be considered a "text-book" example of a leader it was
Mike. He gave his NCOs all the information they needed, he double
checked and
followed up anything and everything to do with a task. He sought
guidance and
then took action. And most important, he led from the front by example
at all
times. If it there was something going on in his platoon he knew about
it. He
loved his men, and they him. His leadership created and environment of
excellence that I could always count on. His normal response to any
mission was
"Roge, We got it, Sir" I knew that if Mike was handling a mission I
had nothing to worry about. His platoon
faced their fair share of contact. On EOD escort missions they took
small arms
fire, were hit by half a dozen IEDs, and ...his soldiers were injured
by a mortar
attack on the Forward Operating Base. Through all of it they looked to
Mike. He
was younger than half his platoon and the same age as the other half.
Most of
his Non-Commissioned Officers had more time deployed than he had in the
Service
and they all looked up to him. He earned their absolute trust and
respect as
well as mine. Mike's loss was a severe
blow to his platoon, the company, and the entire battalion. There is
not one
person who can say they didn't know Mike or that he hadn't made an
impact on
their world in some way."
In the Spring of this year, I visited the American military
cemetery at Normandy in France, where thousands of U.S. Soldiers rest row on
row in eloquent and muted testimony to sacrifice and courage, honor and
integrity, duty and loyalty. On the wall of the simple chapel in that
sacred place are inscribed the words, "Think not only upon their passing,
remember the glory of their spirit." And so we do today with Michael
Cleary. For his generosity of spirit shines brightly in this place with
the spark that all of you knew so well, and all of us had just begun to learn.
The United States Army is
deeply proud to have men and women like Michael Cleary serve in its
ranks. Their commitment to freedom, their devotion to the Nation, their
compassion for those whom they seek to protect, and their unwavering dedication
to the just cause in which they so bravely Soldier, gives all of us
breathtaking pause. In Isaiah the question is asked: "Whom shall I send,
and who will go for us?" Michael answered that call and said "send me."
Michael Cleary went to serve a cause far greater than anything he had
ever known before. His sacrifice for the freedom of others will not be
forgotten by his country or by the U.S.
Army. We salute his devotion to his Soldiers, we honor his courage,
and we remember his extraordinary example of selfless service.
It is now my honor, on behalf of
the Secretary of the Army, to present to the Cleary family the Bronze Star and
the Purple Heart of the United States military for LT Michael Cleary's
exceptionally honorable actions and for his wounds received in combat on 20
December 2005.
We salute Michael, and we will not forget his courage, his leadership,
and the nobility of his service.
