McNeel, David Clifton.

McNeel, David Clifton, born 03-04-1914, in Corsicana, Navarro, Texas, United States, to Charles Howard “Charlie” McNeel (1886–1981) and his wife Myrtle Cynthia Trammel McNeel (1887–1918). David had at least four siblings. Their mother Myrtle passed away in 1918, and their father remarried and had more children. Two sons and one half brother and one half sister. Arthur Howard McNeel (1911–1962) and Paul E. McNeel (1916–1982) and half brother and sister Walton Wayne “Walt” McNeel (1924–2014) and Tommie Faye McNeel Fields (1927–2015) .

David was married when he enlisted in the Marine Corps on 17-11-1942, his younger half-brother Walton Wayne “Walt” McNeel also enlisted in the Marine Corps on the same day. Walter U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II and the Korean War, a longtime sign pattern maker and sales representative, and a well-known square dance caller. Walton passed away at the age of 89 in 2014.

David enlisted in the Marines on 17-11-1942 and was sent overseas in May 1943. He was a sergeant in the 1st Marine Division under command of Major General Alexander Archer Vandegrift, which fought in the Battle of Peleliu, Palau. The 1st Marine Division suffered approximately 20,000 total casualties—including more than 5,000 deaths, during WW2

David landed at White Beach 1 with K Company, 3rd Battalion, First Marine Regiment, under the command of Captain George Pinney Hunt   and assaulted “the Point”. Captain Hunt survived the war and passed away on 06-07-1991 ( age 72) in Hobe Sound, Martin, Florida.

Death and burial ground of McNeel, David Clifton.

David was killed heroically in action on 16-09-1944, age 30, in Peleliu Island, Peleliu, Palau, assaulting the Point. Sergeant McNeel landed on White Beach 1 into one of the most brutal battles of the Pacific War. On his second day on the island, with both his platoon leader and platoon sergeant heavily wounded, he unhesitatingly assumed command of his unit.

The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II by the US military, was fought between the United States and Japan during the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign of World War II, from 15 September to 27 November 1944, on the island of Peleliu.

Skillfully launching a flanking attack on a Japanese anti-boat gun firing from a strongly constructed emplacement and causing serious damage to our landing craft and personnel, David valiantly attempted to hurl grenades directly into the embrasure of the pillbox but was mortally wounded before he could accomplish his mission. As a result of his inspiring leadership, men in his command charged forward and annihilated the hostile stronghold, thereby eliminating a serious threat to the security of the entire beach. Sergeant McNeel’s daring initiative and great personal courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

Sergeant David McNeel was brought home after the war and buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana, Texas where his parents and some of his siblings are buried. David was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. He is also mentioned in Captain Hunt’s book “Coral Comes High”.

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