Herbert Clements Research Paper

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Pages: 3

Herbert Clements was my great-grandfather, to be specific, he was my father’s mother’s father. He was more than just a great-grandfather, he was a symbol of hard work and honor. He was a carpenter, a soldier, a musician, and most importantly, a gentleman. He was a brilliant man, and an even better great-grandfather. My grandmother would always tells stories of his craftsmanship and his life before death. This is a short summary of the life of Herbert Clements. Herbert Clements was a normal everyday child during the early 1900s. Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on September 18, 1919, he continued to life a peaceful life in his hometown. In highschool he played basketball and grew close to his coach and teammates (some teammates were drafted alongside him). He had aspirations to become a musician and played guitar in a small band in Michigan. He went to California for college, and hopes of starting a career in music.. That dream was short-lived, as his brother called him while he was in class, telling him that he was being drafted. Herbert packed up his things and moved back to Michigan. …show more content…
He was drafted into the Air Corps where he was a navigator for the B-24 “Pistol Packin Mama.” One day during battle, Herberts plane was shot down behind enemy lines and was captured. He escaped capture, but had to avoid enemy sight, he managed to find friendly faces who sympathized for him and led him to his side of battle. He written in his diary about how he met Winston Churchill and Marshal Tito during the war. He has been awarded the Purple Star, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Soon after the war he was honorably discharged and allowed to go back to his family in