World War II Honoree

Hubbard G. Clapper

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Birmingham, Alabama

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1943. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER, IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO), WITH B COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 179TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 45TH INFANTRY 'THUNDERBIRD' DIVISION. HIS REGIMENT FOUGHT TO TAKE VENAFRO, ITALY AND KEY MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS INCLUDING HILL 769, AQUAFONDATA, AND SANT’ELIA FIUMERAPIDO DURING OPERATIONS NEAR CASSINO, ALONG THE GUSTAV LINE; FOUGHT AT ANZIO BEGINNING JANUARY 22, 1944 AND WAS ENGAGED IN DEFENDING THE BEACHHEAD FOR THE FOLLOWING 4 MONTHS, INCLUDING WITHSTANDING A MAJOR GERMAN COUNTERATTACK ON FEBRUARY 18, 1944; ASSAULTED SOUTHERN FRANCE AT SAINT MAXIMIN ON AUGUST 15, 1944 AND FOUGHT TO TAKE THE TOWN OF BARJOLS, AND SAW HEAVY COMBAT AT MEXIMIEUX AND VILLERSEXEL. HE WAS AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE ARROWHEAD (AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT LANDINGS), AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM FOR ACTIONS BY HIS DIVISION AT ACQUAFONDATA, ITALY DURING THE NAPLES-FOGGIA CAMPAIGN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY SERVICE AFTER THE WAR AND SERVED UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.