World War II Honoree

John Edward Clair

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Honored By

Richard S. Clair

Relationship

Cousin

ENLISTED ON MARCH 4, 1943. DECEASED JANUARY 20, 1945 (COMPANY B, 254TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 63RD INFANTRY DIVISION). POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE SILVER STAR FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION ON JANUARY 16, 1945 NEAR SIGOLSHEIM, FRANCE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE). WHEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE COMPANY COMMAND POST AND THE OBSERVATION POST HAD BEEN SEVERED, HE, UNDER INTERMITTENT ARTILLERY AND MORTAR FIRE, SET OUT TO CHECK THE LINE. AFTER TAKING COVER FROM A HEAVY CONCENTRATION OF ARTILLERY FIRE, HE OBSERVED AN ENEMY FIRING A MACHINE PISTOL. FIRING A SUB-MACHINE GUN AS HE CHARGED THE POSITION AND THROWING GRENADES, HE SUCCEEDED IN KILLING 3 OF THE ENEMY AND CAUSING 2 OF THE ENEMY TO FLEE. HE THEN CONTINUED ON HIS MISSION AND SUCCESSFULLY REESTABLISHED THE BROKEN COMMUNICATION LINE.