World War II Honoree

R. L. Clay

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Brownfield, Texas

Honored By

Frances Clay

Relationship

Wife

JOINED THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE ON JUNE 6, 1941. RECEIVED HONORABLE DISCHARGE ON OCTOBER 4, 1945. PROGRESSED IN RANK FROM PRIVATE TO TECHNICAL SERGEANT. ASSIGNED TO 82ND FIGHTER SQUADRON, 78TH FIGHTER GROUP. DURING 34 MONTHS OF OVERSEAS SERVICE, PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE, NORMANDY (GO 33 WD 45), RHINELAND, ARDENNES (GO 40 WD 45), NORTHERN FRANCE (GO 46 WD), AND CENTRAL EUROPE (GO 48 WD 45). WAS CLASSIFIED AS A RADIO REPAIRMAN. OPERATED, INSTALLED AND REPAIRED TRANSMITTING, RECEIVING, DIRECTIONAL FINDING AND COMMUNICATION RADIO EQUIPMENT USED IN VERY HIGH FREQUENCY SYSTEMS IN VARIOUS FIGHTER AIRPLANES. AWARDED EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE RIBBON WITH ONE SILVER SERVICE STAR AND ONE BRONZE SERVICE STAR, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. ALSO RECEIVED A PRESIDENTIAL CITATION.