Private First Class Harold Sayre Clifton 36966806 KIA

Private First Class Harold Sayre Clifton 36966806 US Army KIA. He was born in 1908, the son of  James M Clifton and Samantha Clifton and the brother of Maud Clifton, Milton Clifton, Arthur Clifton, Harold Clifton. He grew up and lived in Chicago Illinois and was in the class of 1929 from lake Forest College. He served as an Anti-Tank Gunner, in the 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd “Rainbow” Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action on January 9, 1945 in France around the age of 36. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, on January 9, 1945. When five enemy tanks attempted to outflank the position, Private Clifton remained at his post on a 57 MM. anti-tank gun in spite of heavy enemy machine gun and 88 MM. fire, as a result of which two enemy tanks were put out of action. He was killed by a direct hit on his gun. Private First Class Clifton was awarded the American Theater Medal, World War Two Victory Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Medal, with BRONZE BATTLE STAR, the PURPLE HEART MEDAL, and the SILVER STAR MEDAL.

1- LAKE FOREST COLLEGE WORLD WAR Two MILITARY RECORDS

2- U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942-1949

3- the 1910 United States Federal Census

4- the 1920 United States Federal Census

5- the 1930 United States Federal Census

6- the 1940 United States Federal Census