Another boy in the 34th division in Tunisia is Pvt. Richard Clement who writes his mother, Mrs. H. J. Clement, that his gun was blown to pieces when a truck was blown up.  When he "came to" he thought he was in a cemetery.  Apparently, though, Richard was unhurt and is back into action.  His letter:

"Dear Mom:
"Well, it's been some time snce I wrote to you for I was out of stationery so I will write a line.  News is scarce except the way of living which I hope doesn't last much longer.  It's just two years now since I left home so if the time comes when I stroll up that way I'll know what life really is.

"I've been getting The Miller Gazette and I enjoy reading the news from back home.

"It's been so long since I slept in a house.  I'll never forget the night when daylight came and I thought it was a cemetery.  Then the other day it was a half track.  So the next day they gave me a new M1 and I hope it works when I meet another Jerry.

"Your Son."

Hand County people will remember that Pvt. Clement was the first lad from Hand County to be taken by selective service.

**********

PURPLE HEART AWARD TO RICHARD CLEMENT,
WOUNDED IN TUNISIA

Richard Clement, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Clement of Howell township, was recently awarded the Purple Heart decoration, which is given to men wounded in action beyond the call of duty.

Young Clement was wounded during the Tunisian campaign, but is now reported recovered.  He recently sent his award and other decorations to his parents for safe-keeping.

**********

PFC. CLEMENT KILLED IN ITALY

Word was received Saturday in a telegram from the War Department to Hubert John Clement of Orient that Pfc. Richard Herman Clement had died November 6 from wounds reeived in action in Italy.

Pfc. Clement had been in the army since March 1941 leaving Hand County in call 6.  He was with one of the early contingents to land in Ireland after his first training at Camp Claiborne, La. and was wounded in the fighting near Tunis in June.  It is presumed that he recovered from this wound and was with the landing forces at Salerno in Italy although no word from him has been received by his parents since last June.  In October the parents received the Purple Heart medal awarded young Clement "For Military Merit".

Pfc. Clement was born October 29, 1915 and was therefor twenty-seven years old when he gave his life.  Further details many not be known until after the war.  This is the first report of a death in action to be received in Hand County.
 
 

Hand County -Genealogy Trails  | Military Page |  Email Me

 

 

All data on this website is © Copyright 2008 by Genealogy Trails
with full rights reserved for original submitters.