World War II Honoree

Joseph Bennett 'Doc' Clements, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Raleigh, North Carolina

Honored By

Robert T. Clements

Relationship

Son

PILOT. SERVED WITH 93RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 329TH SQUADRON COMMANDED BY COLONEL EDWARD 'TED' J. TIMBERLAKE FROM MARCH 1942 TO MAY 1943. TRAVELED TO LIBYA TO TAKE PART IN THE RAID ON PLOESTI OILFIELDS IN ROMANIA. ON THIS MISSION, HE AND HIS CREW WERE THE LAST OF THREE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL SQUADRON OF 18, B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBERS TO RETURN TO BASE WITH ONLY ONE IN-BOARD ENGINE OPERATING (DROPPING 2800' PER MINUTE) APPROACHING THE AIR FIELD, ALL WHEELS SHOT OUT AND A SUBSEQUENT FIRE ON CRASH LANDING. LOGGED A TOTAL OF 29 MISSIONS BEFORE RETURNING TO STATE-SIDE SERVICE.