A'dale veteran's remains found after four decades
by Beth L. Lebenson
The Ledger
Aburndale - For 40 years, Philip Clements lived with the faint hope that his big brother was still alive.
Now at least, he knows the truth.
Philip Clements' brother was David C. Clements, an attorney in Lakeland and a native of Auburndale. He was a First Lieutenant and fighter pilot in the Air Force during the Korean War.
He disappeared on April 15, 1953.
His family never knew what happened. His body was never recovered.
Until now.
Air Force officials called Philip Clements' Tennessee home early last month to say, that two Japanese mushroom farmers had found David Clements' skeletal remains in April 1992, still attached to an unopened parachute.
He was identified through dental records.
"I broke into tears, I had to swallow a few minutes," said Philip Clements, now 59, and a minister in Memphis.
My mother always clung to the hope that he might be alive somewhere," he said, "I had heard that so much, it would run through my mind occasionally."
Philip Clements was 19 the last time he saw his brother. He remembers it was a Sunday, two days before David Clements left for Japan. The family had just returned from services at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Auburndale for dinner.
"My brother liked roast beef and mashed potatoes, that sort of thing," said Philip Clements, recalling the menu. "Good old southern eating. Probably black eyed peas too."
David Clements graduated from Auburndale High School in 1944 and entered the Army Air Corps, the predecessor of the Air Force. It was Word War II, and he was a tailgunner on a B-29 Bomber.
When he returned to Florida, Philip Clements said, David Clements entered the University of Florida. He later attended law school there, and returned to Polk County as an attorney in Lakeland.
He also kept his connection with the military, staying in the Air Force reserve, winning a commission and becoming a fighter pilot.
Philip Clements said his brother was an avid angler who always found time to catch bass, usually on Auburndale's Lake Lena.
"He caught 8-, 10-pound bass constantly. The biggest fish I ever caught was 5 pounds," Philip Clements said. "He was a fine, good looking guy. A kid would always look up to that, wouldn't they?"
Philip Clements said his brother was engaged. He planned to open a law firm with his uncle Ray Clements, the former tax collector for Polk County, who was also an attorney.
David Clements' former fiancée is now married with three children in California, Philip Clements said. He said, that like himself, she was relieved to learn that David Clements' body had been found at last.
"He was a very fine man. One of the finest I ever knew," said the Rev. W.W. Watson, the family's pastor in Auburndale.
Watson said that David Clements was considered a local hero.
In February 1953, the Air Force called David Clements to serve his country again. This time he was a fighter pilot in an F-84 fighter during the Korean War.
Two months later, his family was told he was missing after being involved in an "incident" while flying over Japan.
Watson officiated at the memorial service in May 1953, held after David Clements' status was changed from missing to dead.
"It was sad. Because they never knew what happened to him," Watson said. "We had given him up for dead."
The only family member now left is Philip Clements. Their parents and oldest brother all died years ago.
And even though David Clements' body has been found, Philip Clements said he still doesn't know exactly how or why his brother crashed over the mountains of Misaawa, Japan.
He speculated David Clements might have been unconscious because his parachute was unopened.
Now, Philip Clements' son David, named for his missing uncle--will fly to California to accompany the remains home.
On May 22, (1993), David Clements will be buried next to his parents and brother at the Glen Abbey Funeral Home and Cemetery in Auburndale.
Again, Watson will officiate. It will be a military funeral.
"I'm thankful for it. It's really a relief. I've thought, "Why me?" There are so many wives and mothers that never hear anything," Philip Clements said.
"It's like closing the book, or writing the final chapter."
************************************
After doing a little extra research for this family, I found the family unit in the 1940 Census for Auburndale, Polk County, Florida living on Pontatoc
Daniel C Clements 47 Head of Household
Hazel Clements 42 Wife
Daniel Clements 16 Son
David Clements 14 Son
Phillip Clements 6 Son
Daniel C. Clements supported his family by working as a citrus fruit picker. The Census shows that Daniel was born in Georgia, Hazel born in Ohio and the three sons all born in Florida.
I found a 1945 Florida State Census that shows the intact family. D.C. Clements working as a Fruit Picker, Hazel E. working as a housewife, Daniel now 21 working as a clerk, David now 19 already working in the Air Corps and Philip a student. (picture added to memorial)
*******************
by Beth L. Lebenson
The Ledger
Aburndale - For 40 years, Philip Clements lived with the faint hope that his big brother was still alive.
Now at least, he knows the truth.
Philip Clements' brother was David C. Clements, an attorney in Lakeland and a native of Auburndale. He was a First Lieutenant and fighter pilot in the Air Force during the Korean War.
He disappeared on April 15, 1953.
His family never knew what happened. His body was never recovered.
Until now.
Air Force officials called Philip Clements' Tennessee home early last month to say, that two Japanese mushroom farmers had found David Clements' skeletal remains in April 1992, still attached to an unopened parachute.
He was identified through dental records.
"I broke into tears, I had to swallow a few minutes," said Philip Clements, now 59, and a minister in Memphis.
My mother always clung to the hope that he might be alive somewhere," he said, "I had heard that so much, it would run through my mind occasionally."
Philip Clements was 19 the last time he saw his brother. He remembers it was a Sunday, two days before David Clements left for Japan. The family had just returned from services at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Auburndale for dinner.
"My brother liked roast beef and mashed potatoes, that sort of thing," said Philip Clements, recalling the menu. "Good old southern eating. Probably black eyed peas too."
David Clements graduated from Auburndale High School in 1944 and entered the Army Air Corps, the predecessor of the Air Force. It was Word War II, and he was a tailgunner on a B-29 Bomber.
When he returned to Florida, Philip Clements said, David Clements entered the University of Florida. He later attended law school there, and returned to Polk County as an attorney in Lakeland.
He also kept his connection with the military, staying in the Air Force reserve, winning a commission and becoming a fighter pilot.
Philip Clements said his brother was an avid angler who always found time to catch bass, usually on Auburndale's Lake Lena.
"He caught 8-, 10-pound bass constantly. The biggest fish I ever caught was 5 pounds," Philip Clements said. "He was a fine, good looking guy. A kid would always look up to that, wouldn't they?"
Philip Clements said his brother was engaged. He planned to open a law firm with his uncle Ray Clements, the former tax collector for Polk County, who was also an attorney.
David Clements' former fiancée is now married with three children in California, Philip Clements said. He said, that like himself, she was relieved to learn that David Clements' body had been found at last.
"He was a very fine man. One of the finest I ever knew," said the Rev. W.W. Watson, the family's pastor in Auburndale.
Watson said that David Clements was considered a local hero.
In February 1953, the Air Force called David Clements to serve his country again. This time he was a fighter pilot in an F-84 fighter during the Korean War.
Two months later, his family was told he was missing after being involved in an "incident" while flying over Japan.
Watson officiated at the memorial service in May 1953, held after David Clements' status was changed from missing to dead.
"It was sad. Because they never knew what happened to him," Watson said. "We had given him up for dead."
The only family member now left is Philip Clements. Their parents and oldest brother all died years ago.
And even though David Clements' body has been found, Philip Clements said he still doesn't know exactly how or why his brother crashed over the mountains of Misaawa, Japan.
He speculated David Clements might have been unconscious because his parachute was unopened.
Now, Philip Clements' son David, named for his missing uncle--will fly to California to accompany the remains home.
On May 22, (1993), David Clements will be buried next to his parents and brother at the Glen Abbey Funeral Home and Cemetery in Auburndale.
Again, Watson will officiate. It will be a military funeral.
"I'm thankful for it. It's really a relief. I've thought, "Why me?" There are so many wives and mothers that never hear anything," Philip Clements said.
"It's like closing the book, or writing the final chapter."
************************************
After doing a little extra research for this family, I found the family unit in the 1940 Census for Auburndale, Polk County, Florida living on Pontatoc
Daniel C Clements 47 Head of Household
Hazel Clements 42 Wife
Daniel Clements 16 Son
David Clements 14 Son
Phillip Clements 6 Son
Daniel C. Clements supported his family by working as a citrus fruit picker. The Census shows that Daniel was born in Georgia, Hazel born in Ohio and the three sons all born in Florida.
I found a 1945 Florida State Census that shows the intact family. D.C. Clements working as a Fruit Picker, Hazel E. working as a housewife, Daniel now 21 working as a clerk, David now 19 already working in the Air Corps and Philip a student. (picture added to memorial)
*******************
A'dale veteran's remains found after four decades
by Beth L. Lebenson
The Ledger
Aburndale - For 40 years, Philip Clements lived with the faint hope that his big brother was still alive.
Now at least, he knows the truth.
Philip Clements' brother was David C. Clements, an attorney in Lakeland and a native of Auburndale. He was a First Lieutenant and fighter pilot in the Air Force during the Korean War.
He disappeared on April 15, 1953.
His family never knew what happened. His body was never recovered.
Until now.
Air Force officials called Philip Clements' Tennessee home early last month to say, that two Japanese mushroom farmers had found David Clements' skeletal remains in April 1992, still attached to an unopened parachute.
He was identified through dental records.
"I broke into tears, I had to swallow a few minutes," said Philip Clements, now 59, and a minister in Memphis.
My mother always clung to the hope that he might be alive somewhere," he said, "I had heard that so much, it would run through my mind occasionally."
Philip Clements was 19 the last time he saw his brother. He remembers it was a Sunday, two days before David Clements left for Japan. The family had just returned from services at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Auburndale for dinner.
"My brother liked roast beef and mashed potatoes, that sort of thing," said Philip Clements, recalling the menu. "Good old southern eating. Probably black eyed peas too."
David Clements graduated from Auburndale High School in 1944 and entered the Army Air Corps, the predecessor of the Air Force. It was Word War II, and he was a tailgunner on a B-29 Bomber.
When he returned to Florida, Philip Clements said, David Clements entered the University of Florida. He later attended law school there, and returned to Polk County as an attorney in Lakeland.
He also kept his connection with the military, staying in the Air Force reserve, winning a commission and becoming a fighter pilot.
Philip Clements said his brother was an avid angler who always found time to catch bass, usually on Auburndale's Lake Lena.
"He caught 8-, 10-pound bass constantly. The biggest fish I ever caught was 5 pounds," Philip Clements said. "He was a fine, good looking guy. A kid would always look up to that, wouldn't they?"
Philip Clements said his brother was engaged. He planned to open a law firm with his uncle Ray Clements, the former tax collector for Polk County, who was also an attorney.
David Clements' former fiancée is now married with three children in California, Philip Clements said. He said, that like himself, she was relieved to learn that David Clements' body had been found at last.
"He was a very fine man. One of the finest I ever knew," said the Rev. W.W. Watson, the family's pastor in Auburndale.
Watson said that David Clements was considered a local hero.
In February 1953, the Air Force called David Clements to serve his country again. This time he was a fighter pilot in an F-84 fighter during the Korean War.
Two months later, his family was told he was missing after being involved in an "incident" while flying over Japan.
Watson officiated at the memorial service in May 1953, held after David Clements' status was changed from missing to dead.
"It was sad. Because they never knew what happened to him," Watson said. "We had given him up for dead."
The only family member now left is Philip Clements. Their parents and oldest brother all died years ago.
And even though David Clements' body has been found, Philip Clements said he still doesn't know exactly how or why his brother crashed over the mountains of Misaawa, Japan.
He speculated David Clements might have been unconscious because his parachute was unopened.
Now, Philip Clements' son David, named for his missing uncle--will fly to California to accompany the remains home.
On May 22, (1993), David Clements will be buried next to his parents and brother at the Glen Abbey Funeral Home and Cemetery in Auburndale.
Again, Watson will officiate. It will be a military funeral.
"I'm thankful for it. It's really a relief. I've thought, "Why me?" There are so many wives and mothers that never hear anything," Philip Clements said.
"It's like closing the book, or writing the final chapter."
************************************
After doing a little extra research for this family, I found the family unit in the 1940 Census for Auburndale, Polk County, Florida living on Pontatoc
Daniel C Clements 47 Head of Household
Hazel Clements 42 Wife
Daniel Clements 16 Son
David Clements 14 Son
Phillip Clements 6 Son
Daniel C. Clements supported his family by working as a citrus fruit picker. The Census shows that Daniel was born in Georgia, Hazel born in Ohio and the three sons all born in Florida.
I found a 1945 Florida State Census that shows the intact family. D.C. Clements working as a Fruit Picker, Hazel E. working as a housewife, Daniel now 21 working as a clerk, David now 19 already working in the Air Corps and Philip a student. (picture added to memorial)
*******************
by Beth L. Lebenson
The Ledger
Aburndale - For 40 years, Philip Clements lived with the faint hope that his big brother was still alive.
Now at least, he knows the truth.
Philip Clements' brother was David C. Clements, an attorney in Lakeland and a native of Auburndale. He was a First Lieutenant and fighter pilot in the Air Force during the Korean War.
He disappeared on April 15, 1953.
His family never knew what happened. His body was never recovered.
Until now.
Air Force officials called Philip Clements' Tennessee home early last month to say, that two Japanese mushroom farmers had found David Clements' skeletal remains in April 1992, still attached to an unopened parachute.
He was identified through dental records.
"I broke into tears, I had to swallow a few minutes," said Philip Clements, now 59, and a minister in Memphis.
My mother always clung to the hope that he might be alive somewhere," he said, "I had heard that so much, it would run through my mind occasionally."
Philip Clements was 19 the last time he saw his brother. He remembers it was a Sunday, two days before David Clements left for Japan. The family had just returned from services at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Auburndale for dinner.
"My brother liked roast beef and mashed potatoes, that sort of thing," said Philip Clements, recalling the menu. "Good old southern eating. Probably black eyed peas too."
David Clements graduated from Auburndale High School in 1944 and entered the Army Air Corps, the predecessor of the Air Force. It was Word War II, and he was a tailgunner on a B-29 Bomber.
When he returned to Florida, Philip Clements said, David Clements entered the University of Florida. He later attended law school there, and returned to Polk County as an attorney in Lakeland.
He also kept his connection with the military, staying in the Air Force reserve, winning a commission and becoming a fighter pilot.
Philip Clements said his brother was an avid angler who always found time to catch bass, usually on Auburndale's Lake Lena.
"He caught 8-, 10-pound bass constantly. The biggest fish I ever caught was 5 pounds," Philip Clements said. "He was a fine, good looking guy. A kid would always look up to that, wouldn't they?"
Philip Clements said his brother was engaged. He planned to open a law firm with his uncle Ray Clements, the former tax collector for Polk County, who was also an attorney.
David Clements' former fiancée is now married with three children in California, Philip Clements said. He said, that like himself, she was relieved to learn that David Clements' body had been found at last.
"He was a very fine man. One of the finest I ever knew," said the Rev. W.W. Watson, the family's pastor in Auburndale.
Watson said that David Clements was considered a local hero.
In February 1953, the Air Force called David Clements to serve his country again. This time he was a fighter pilot in an F-84 fighter during the Korean War.
Two months later, his family was told he was missing after being involved in an "incident" while flying over Japan.
Watson officiated at the memorial service in May 1953, held after David Clements' status was changed from missing to dead.
"It was sad. Because they never knew what happened to him," Watson said. "We had given him up for dead."
The only family member now left is Philip Clements. Their parents and oldest brother all died years ago.
And even though David Clements' body has been found, Philip Clements said he still doesn't know exactly how or why his brother crashed over the mountains of Misaawa, Japan.
He speculated David Clements might have been unconscious because his parachute was unopened.
Now, Philip Clements' son David, named for his missing uncle--will fly to California to accompany the remains home.
On May 22, (1993), David Clements will be buried next to his parents and brother at the Glen Abbey Funeral Home and Cemetery in Auburndale.
Again, Watson will officiate. It will be a military funeral.
"I'm thankful for it. It's really a relief. I've thought, "Why me?" There are so many wives and mothers that never hear anything," Philip Clements said.
"It's like closing the book, or writing the final chapter."
************************************
After doing a little extra research for this family, I found the family unit in the 1940 Census for Auburndale, Polk County, Florida living on Pontatoc
Daniel C Clements 47 Head of Household
Hazel Clements 42 Wife
Daniel Clements 16 Son
David Clements 14 Son
Phillip Clements 6 Son
Daniel C. Clements supported his family by working as a citrus fruit picker. The Census shows that Daniel was born in Georgia, Hazel born in Ohio and the three sons all born in Florida.
I found a 1945 Florida State Census that shows the intact family. D.C. Clements working as a Fruit Picker, Hazel E. working as a housewife, Daniel now 21 working as a clerk, David now 19 already working in the Air Corps and Philip a student. (picture added to memorial)
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Family Members
Siblings
