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Michael Cleary
Michael Cleary

First Lt. Michael Cleary, a graduate of the class of 2003, was killed Tuesday, Dec. 20, in Samarra, Iraq. On Tuesday, he had led his unit to a bomb factory which his unit destroyed and was returning from the mission when the unit was ambushed by insurgent forces. Cleary served with E Company, 1st Battalion and 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division and had graduated from Airborne School, Ranger School and Anti-Terrorist School.

After graduating as an economics major, Cleary entered the Army's Officer Candidate School. He had recently been notified that he was eligible for a promotion to captain. His active-duty obligation to the Army would have ended in December 2006.

Scheduled to leave Iraq in the next 10 days, Cleary was preparing for a February wedding to his high school girlfriend.

"The Hamilton community is profoundly saddened by Michael Cleary's tragic death," said Hamilton President Joan Hinde Stewart. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, especially at this time of the year."

Hamilton Economics Professor Paul Hagstrom knew Cleary well. "He was an excellent student and an outstanding person. I remember hours of talking to Mike in my office. Class-related discussions on poverty and labor markets would evolve to discussions of family and what he wanted to do after Hamilton. After taking a labor economics class with me, he wrote an excellent senior thesis on the impact of military wages on recruitment.

"He was very proud to have been in the ROTC program," Hagstrom continued. "Mike talked of joining the military as a way to extend his education and as an avenue to a promising career either in or beyond the military. While fully aware of the risks of his commitment, he was proud to wear his uniform to my office when he said good-bye, proud of having completed a Hamilton education, proud of his decision to serve his country. I will miss Mike very much."

Many who knew Cleary speak of his smile, his positive attitude and his focused commitment to those things he valued. Economics Professor James Bradfield said, "I can see him walking across the quad, always walking briskly with a great smile. He said he had learned that your efforts were most appreciated if you approached things with the most determination possible and the biggest smile. He knew what he wanted to do and did it. He was very appreciative and very goal-oriented without being overbearing."

"Michael was bright and interested in learning," said Ann Owen, associate professor of economics. "An engaging student with a smile almost always on his face, he brought an energy and intensity to the classroom and the campus. His death is a large loss to the Hamilton community."

Economics professor Stephen Wu, Cleary's senior thesis advisor, said, "Michael was the type of student who was truly a joy to teach -- inquisitive and hardworking, and never one to complain about all the work I had him complete for his thesis project.  Above all, he was truly an outstanding young man with great integrity."

Cleary's father, John P. Cleary, is a member of the class of 1968, and his sister, Erin Cleary Flanagan, is a member of the class of 1991.

A commentary "Back Mountain man hero in many ways," was published Wednesday, Dec. 28, in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. Another commentary, "First Lt. Michael Cleary took the path of a patriot," was published Friday, Dec. 23.

INFORMATION ON SERVICES FOR MICHAEL CLEARY:

A viewing and memorial were held on Thursday, Dec. 29, at the Anderson Center at College Misericordia in Dallas Township. A funeral service was held on Friday, Dec. 30, at Gate of Heaven Church in Dallas (40 Machell Ave., Dallas, Pa.). The Snowdon Funeral Home in Shavertown handled the arrangements. He was buried with full military honors at Mt. Olivet Cemetery (612 Mount Olivet Rd, Wyoming, Pa.). His family declined an offer from the military for a full honors burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

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