World War II Honoree

Clifford Joseph 'C.J.' Naquin, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Gray, Louisiana

Honored By

Miriam, Leslie, Lynn Sr., Lanny, Lorraine, Lisette & Lona

Relationship

Wife & Children

VOLUNTEERED TO BE A FIGHTER PILOT IN THE AIR FORCE. PASSED HIS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TESTS; TWO WEEKS LATER, THEY CALLED AND SAID THERE WERE TOO MANY VOLUNTEERS AHEAD OF HIM FOR THAT SAME BRANCH. ON FEBRUARY 28, 1944 HE WAS DRAFTED AND ENTERED THE SERVICE ON MARCH 21, 1944. TOOK HIS BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP FANNIN, TYLER, TEXAS AND FINAL RANGER TRAINING AT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA. WHILE AT FORT BRAGG, HE WAS CHOSEN AND PARTICIPATED AS ONE OF THE TWELVE MAN SWIM TEAM THAT REPRESENTED THE 100TH DIVISION. IN OCTOBER 1944, AS A PROUD U.S. ARMY RANGER, HE WAS SENT OVERSEAS TO FIGHT ON THE U.S. 7TH ARMY FRONT IN EASTERN FRANCE. HE WAS IN THE 397TH INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE 100TH 'CENTURY' DIVISION AND TOOK PART IN THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE. WOUNDED FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES, CAPTURED TWICE AND SNEAKED AWAY, BEFORE THEY COUNTED THEM. FINAL WOUND IN FRANCE WAS ON MARCH 15, 1945 WHEN HE STEPPED ON A MINE WHILE TRYING TO RESCUE HIS FIRST SCOUT. IT TOOK HIM 3 1/2 HOURS TO STOP THE BLEEDING WHILE WAITING TO BE RESCUED OUT OF THE MINE FIELD. REMAINED IN THE MINE FIELD FOR NINE HOURS BEFORE BEING RESCUED. AS A SERGEANT, WAS AWARDED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH THE BRONZE STAR, THE PURPLE HEART WITH TWO OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. WOUNDS FINALLY RESULTED IN THE AMPUTATION OF HIS LEFT FOOT. WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL HIS CAPTAIN SENT HIM WORD THAT HIS OUTPOST WAS THE FARTHEST OUT IN THE 7TH ARMY. REMAINED IN MCCLOSKY HOSPITAL, TEMPLE, TEXAS UNTIL HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE ON FEBRUARY 21, 1946.