Actually, I've had my own theories of what happened to Cleland...
1. He could have been one of those jerks that used the grenade pull ring to attach the grenade to whatever rig he was wearing... When he moved to exit the chopper - the grenade got hung up on something during Cleland's exit, Cleland jumped to the ground, jerking the pin on his own grenade allowing it to drop ARMED to the ground at his feet......BOOM.
Variable on the above...
Cleland like MANY jerks, may have slightly compressed the pin wings on the Grenade pin, making it easier to pull the pin.. If the pin was TOO STRAIGHT -- his jump to the ground could have produced sufficient force on landing to pull the pin, allowing the grenade that was attached to his rig via the pull ring -- to drop ARMED to the ground at his feet.......BOOM.
A combination of BOTH, could have been the case - making this a Darwin event..
2. He was fragged.. This was not uncommon.
Semper Fi
Max Clelands Military Service
Army ROTC; Stetson University
U.S. Army 1965-1968; Commisioned Second Lieutenant and promoted to Captain 1968
Airborne, Ft. Benning, Georgia
Aide de Camp, Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey
Volunteered for duty in Vietnam in 1967
Wounded in grenade explosion April 8, 1968 (lost both legs and right arm)
Recovered from injuries "in various Army and Veterans Administration hospitals"
Awarded Bronze Star and Silver Star
Silver Star Medal Citation
Captain Cleland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 4 April 1968 … during an enemy attack near Khe Sanh.
When the battalion command post came under a heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack, Captain Cleland, disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the rocket barrage as he left his covered position to administer first aid to his wounded comrades. He then assisted in moving the injured personnel to covered positions.
Continuing to expose himself, Captain Cleland organized his men into a work party to repair the battalion communications equipment, which had been damaged by enemy fire.
His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Grenade Explosion Accident. In his own words,
On April 8, 1968, I volunteered for one last mission. The helicopter moved in low. The troops jumped out with M16 rifles in hand as we crouched low to the ground to avoid the helicopter blades. Then I saw the grenade. It was where the chopper had lifted off. It must be mine, I thought. Grenades had fallen off my web gear before. Shifting the M16 to my left hand and holding it behind me, I bent down to pick up the grenade. A blinding explosion threw me backwards.