World War II Honoree

Clarence Beck

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mankato, Kansas

Honored By

Donna J. Ramey

Relationship

Friend & Neighbor

CLARENCE BECK WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY ON JULY 1, 1942. HE RECEIVED ABOUT 8 WEEKS OF BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP RIPLEY IN MINNESOTA. HE SPENT ABOUT A YEAR AT CAMP RIPLEY BEFORE BEING SHIPPED OVERSEAS. CLARENCE WAS ATTACHED TO THE HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 66TH INFANTRY DIVISION, WHERE HIS DUTIES WERE AS CLERK. CLARENCE REMEMBERS CROSSING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL ON AN LST TO CHERBOURG, FRANCE. MANY OF HIS DIVISION COMRADES LOST THEIR LIVES AT 4:00 P.M. CHRISTMAS DAY IN 1944 WHEN NEARLY 800 OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 66TH INFANTRY DIVISION DIED WHEN A GERMAN U-BOAT MISSILE STRUCK THE BRITISH TRANSPORT LEOPOLDVILLE ON THAT CROSSING. CLARENCE WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY IN JANUARY 1946.