World War II Honoree

Roy Thomas Clayton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Licking, Missouri

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE JULY 8, 1943. STAGED WITH HIS REGIMENT AT CAMP SHANKS AT ORANGEBURG, NEW YORK ON JANUARY 19, 1945 AWAITING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT. SAILED FROM THE NEW YORK PORT OF EMBARKATION ON JANUARY 26, 1945 AND ARRIVED IN FRANCE ON FEBRUARY 6, 1945. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH COMPANY B, 1ST BATTALION, 515TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 13TH AIRBORNE DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGN. HIS UNIT WAS NEVER ENTERED INTO ACTIVE COMBAT DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF AIRLIFT DURING OPERATION 'VARSITY', THE ALLIED AIRBORNE DROP EAST OF THE RHINE RIVER. HIS REGIMENT REMAINED IN FRANCE AFTER THE END OF THE WAR, RETURNED TO THE NEW YORK PORT ON AUGUST 22, 1945, AND MOVED TO FORT BRAGG AT FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA ON AUGUST 26, 1945. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON JANUARY 30, 1946 WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.