World War II Honoree

Clyde C. Cloer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bryson City, North Carolina

Honored By

Leroy M. Cloer

Relationship

Brother

JOINED ARMY AFTER PEARL HARBOR. SERVED IN 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION, 7TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 3RD BATTALION, HEADQUARTERS COMPANY. MADE THE ASSAULT LANDING IN CASABLANCA ON 8 NOVEMBER 42, FOUGHT THROUGH ALGERIA AND INTO TUNISIA. MADE THE ASSAULT LANDING ON SICILY 10 JULY 43 AND FOUGHT UNDER GENERAL PATTON THROUGH PALERMO TOWARDS MESSINA. MADE THE ASSAULT LANDING ON SALERNO, ITALY ON 18 SEPTEMBER 43 AND FOUGHT NORTHWARD TO THE GUSTAV WINTER LINE AND CASSINO. LANDED ON ANZIO BEACHHEAD 22 JANUARY 44 AND MAINTAINED DEFENSIVE POSITIONS WHILE BEING SUBJECT TO VIOLENT GERMAN COUNTERATTACKS. ON 23 MAY 44 MADE THE 'BREAKOUT' FROM THE ANZIO BEACHHEAD NORTHWARD TO ROME. FREED ROME ON 4 JUNE 44 AND PREPARED TO MAKE THE SOUTH FRANCE ASSAULT LANDING SCHEDULED FOR 15 SEPTEMBER 44. AFTER THE LANDING THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION WORKED THEIR WAY NORTH THROUGH THE VOSGES MOUNTAINS. FOUGHT THEIR WAY NORTH TO ST. DIE AND STASBOURG BY THE WINTER OF 1944. MAINTAINED DEFENSIVE POSITIONS DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. CROSSED THE RHINE RIVER IN LATE MARCH 1945. RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR (16 MARCH 45 FOR HEROISM IN THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN). AT WAR'S END THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN FREEING THE GERMAN CONCENTRATION CAMPAIGN AT DACHAU. AWARDED THE BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER FROM POST WAR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PURPLE HEART MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 5 ARROWHEADS AND 10 CAMPAIGN STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH GERMANY BAR, ARMY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR COLMAR POCKET COMBAT ACTION. RETURNED TO THE U.S. LATE IN 1945. HONORABLE DISCHARGE WITH LAPEL PIN.