Harold J. McNeary entered the military service in New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Private in Company G, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He died from his wounds received in battle on May 16, 1918 and is now buried in Somme American Cemetery, Bony, France. His name is inscribed on the Cantigny monument as PVT H MC NARY.

Other information from:
Brooklyn Standard Union Saturday June 1, 1918 M'NEARY, VETERAN AT 19 SUCCUMBS Private Harold J. McNeary is buried with his fellow American soldiers in Picardie, France at Saint Mihiel American Cemetery.
His step-brother John Niery survived The Great War and was buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery, located in their hometown of Brooklyn.

Shortly after Mrs. Mary McNeary, of 470 Warren Street, had received a War Department telegram last night, telling her her son Harold had died of his wounds in France, the postman brought her a letter from the boy, saying he was quickly recovering in a base hospital.

McNeary, who was not yet 20, went to France seven months ago as a Private in Company G of the Twenty-sixth U.S. Infantry. He was then a veteran of the Texas border operations. While in the South with the Fourteenth Infantry he had contracted paratyphoid and had been invalided home. He stayed a month in the hospital at Fort Hamilton and enlisted in the regulars as soon as he got well again.

McNeary had a step-brother, John Niery, serving in the band of the 106th Field Artillery of the Empire Division.

McNeary was a graduate of the parochial school of St. Peter's Church, Hicks and Warren Streets.

He is survived by his mother and a sister, Mrs. Lucy Dunne.