WW II U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS VETERAN
Clarence McClellan Thomas was born in Arkansas,
on 19 January 1924, the son of Woodlief Atha
Thomas and Ethie Maye McClellan Thomas. He
graduated from High School in 1941, and went
on to the University of Arkansas, at
Fayetteville.
Months into his first year of college,
Pearl Harbor was attacked, and after
completing his first year, he enlisted
in the U.S. Army Air Corps, on 26 October 1942.
He was sent for training, commissioned as
a Second Lieutenant, became a Pilot of P-47
Fighter Aircraft, and was assigned to the
12th Air Force, 86th Fighter Group, 527th
Fighter Squadron, stationed in the
Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO).
The 86th Fighter Group in March through
May of 1943, moved to North Africa and
trained until July, then began combat with
the Twelfth Air Force. They were
engaged primarily in close support of
ground forces, with the group moving forward
to bases in Sicily, Italy, Corsica, France,
and Germany as the battle line changed.
Patrol and interdictory missions were also
flown. A-36, P-40, and P-47 aircraft
were used to attack convoys, trains,
ammunition dumps, troop and supply columns,
shipping, bridges, rail lines, and other
objectives.
The 86th Fighter Group participated in the
softening up of Sicily and supported the
invasion by Seventh Army in July of 1943,
and provided cover for the landings at
Salerno in September of that year. The
Group assisted the Allied advance toward
Rome during Jan-Jun 1944. They supported
the invasion of Southern France in Aug
1944, and worked to take out enemy
communications in northern Italy from
Sep 1944 to April 1945. They attacked
enemy transportation in Germany
during April and May 1945.
On 03 January 1945, during a bombing
and strafing mission on the Rail Road
Bridge at Calcinto, Italy, 2nd Lt. Clarence
McClellan Thomas' plane, P-47D23RA;
Serial Number: 42-28036, developed engine
trouble. Sputtering and losing altitude,
Lt. Thomas' only option was to bail out,
which he did successfully.
The plane crashed and burned while he
parachuted to the ground, one mile southeast
of Ponte Dell Olio, Italy and some 14 miles
South of Piacenza, Italy.
Deep in Enemy Territory, Lt. Thomas evaded
capture by the Germans, and was aided by the
Italian Partisans. Behind the Enemy lines,
he met up with three other "downed" U.S.
Airmen, who were also being assisted by
the Italian Partisans. After many harrowing
weeks, of traversing through deep snow,
freezing temperatures, in the mountainous
terrain, and dodging German troops,
at every turn, the four U.S. Airmen,
together, crossed the lines into Friendly
Territory near Massa, Italy, on 15 February 1945.
After his World War II Service, Clarence McClellan
Thomas resumed his life, marrying Miss Emma Lou
Atherton, and he went back to College at the
University of Arkansas, to pursue his degree.
By the end of his College Eduaction, he was a
Certified Public Accountant, and an Attorney.
He became the proud Father of 2 sons and a daughter.
After a Courageous Battle with Cancer, His short life
ended on 29 August 1959. He was just 35 years old.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEVER FORGET His Service to Our Country.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NARA U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records,
1938-1946
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 18167566 18167566
NAME THOMAS#CLARENCE#M## THOMAS#CLARENCE#M##
RESIDENCE: STATE 87 ARKANSAS
RESIDENCE: COUNTY 119 PULASKI
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 8763 LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS
DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 26 26
DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH 10 10
DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR 42 42
GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION PVT# Private
GRADE: CODE 8 Private
BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION AC# Air Corps
BRANCH: CODE 20 Air Corps
EDUC. SPEC. ## ##
DEFER. DATE MONTH 00 00
DEFER. DATE YEAR 03 03
SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL 0 Civil Life
NATIVITY 87 ARKANSAS
YEAR OF BIRTH 24 24
RACE AND CITIZENSHIP 1 White, citizen
EDUCATION 5 1 year of college
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION 992 Undefined Code
MARITAL STATUS 6 Single, without dependents
COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 3 Reserves - exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of the Officers Reserve Corps on active duty under the Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Men -- O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status)
BOX NUMBER 0287 0287
FILM REEL NUMBER 3.9## 3.9##
----------------------
NARA Missing Air Crew Report--(MACR) No. 10952;
Aircraft: P-47D-23RA; Serial No. 42-28036;
03 January 1945.
----------------------
U.S. School Yearbooks
Name: Clarence M Thomas
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1923
Age: 20
School: University of Arkansas
School Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Year: 1943
Yearbook Title: Razorback
--
U.S. School Yearbooks
Name: Clarence M Thomas
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1927
Age: 20
School: University of Arkansas
School Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Year: 1947
Yearbook Title: Razorback
Clarence McClellan Thomas was born in Arkansas,
on 19 January 1924, the son of Woodlief Atha
Thomas and Ethie Maye McClellan Thomas. He
graduated from High School in 1941, and went
on to the University of Arkansas, at
Fayetteville.
Months into his first year of college,
Pearl Harbor was attacked, and after
completing his first year, he enlisted
in the U.S. Army Air Corps, on 26 October 1942.
He was sent for training, commissioned as
a Second Lieutenant, became a Pilot of P-47
Fighter Aircraft, and was assigned to the
12th Air Force, 86th Fighter Group, 527th
Fighter Squadron, stationed in the
Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO).
The 86th Fighter Group in March through
May of 1943, moved to North Africa and
trained until July, then began combat with
the Twelfth Air Force. They were
engaged primarily in close support of
ground forces, with the group moving forward
to bases in Sicily, Italy, Corsica, France,
and Germany as the battle line changed.
Patrol and interdictory missions were also
flown. A-36, P-40, and P-47 aircraft
were used to attack convoys, trains,
ammunition dumps, troop and supply columns,
shipping, bridges, rail lines, and other
objectives.
The 86th Fighter Group participated in the
softening up of Sicily and supported the
invasion by Seventh Army in July of 1943,
and provided cover for the landings at
Salerno in September of that year. The
Group assisted the Allied advance toward
Rome during Jan-Jun 1944. They supported
the invasion of Southern France in Aug
1944, and worked to take out enemy
communications in northern Italy from
Sep 1944 to April 1945. They attacked
enemy transportation in Germany
during April and May 1945.
On 03 January 1945, during a bombing
and strafing mission on the Rail Road
Bridge at Calcinto, Italy, 2nd Lt. Clarence
McClellan Thomas' plane, P-47D23RA;
Serial Number: 42-28036, developed engine
trouble. Sputtering and losing altitude,
Lt. Thomas' only option was to bail out,
which he did successfully.
The plane crashed and burned while he
parachuted to the ground, one mile southeast
of Ponte Dell Olio, Italy and some 14 miles
South of Piacenza, Italy.
Deep in Enemy Territory, Lt. Thomas evaded
capture by the Germans, and was aided by the
Italian Partisans. Behind the Enemy lines,
he met up with three other "downed" U.S.
Airmen, who were also being assisted by
the Italian Partisans. After many harrowing
weeks, of traversing through deep snow,
freezing temperatures, in the mountainous
terrain, and dodging German troops,
at every turn, the four U.S. Airmen,
together, crossed the lines into Friendly
Territory near Massa, Italy, on 15 February 1945.
After his World War II Service, Clarence McClellan
Thomas resumed his life, marrying Miss Emma Lou
Atherton, and he went back to College at the
University of Arkansas, to pursue his degree.
By the end of his College Eduaction, he was a
Certified Public Accountant, and an Attorney.
He became the proud Father of 2 sons and a daughter.
After a Courageous Battle with Cancer, His short life
ended on 29 August 1959. He was just 35 years old.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEVER FORGET His Service to Our Country.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NARA U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records,
1938-1946
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 18167566 18167566
NAME THOMAS#CLARENCE#M## THOMAS#CLARENCE#M##
RESIDENCE: STATE 87 ARKANSAS
RESIDENCE: COUNTY 119 PULASKI
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 8763 LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS
DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 26 26
DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH 10 10
DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR 42 42
GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION PVT# Private
GRADE: CODE 8 Private
BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION AC# Air Corps
BRANCH: CODE 20 Air Corps
EDUC. SPEC. ## ##
DEFER. DATE MONTH 00 00
DEFER. DATE YEAR 03 03
SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL 0 Civil Life
NATIVITY 87 ARKANSAS
YEAR OF BIRTH 24 24
RACE AND CITIZENSHIP 1 White, citizen
EDUCATION 5 1 year of college
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION 992 Undefined Code
MARITAL STATUS 6 Single, without dependents
COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 3 Reserves - exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of the Officers Reserve Corps on active duty under the Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Men -- O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status)
BOX NUMBER 0287 0287
FILM REEL NUMBER 3.9## 3.9##
----------------------
NARA Missing Air Crew Report--(MACR) No. 10952;
Aircraft: P-47D-23RA; Serial No. 42-28036;
03 January 1945.
----------------------
U.S. School Yearbooks
Name: Clarence M Thomas
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1923
Age: 20
School: University of Arkansas
School Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Year: 1943
Yearbook Title: Razorback
--
U.S. School Yearbooks
Name: Clarence M Thomas
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1927
Age: 20
School: University of Arkansas
School Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Year: 1947
Yearbook Title: Razorback
WW II U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS VETERAN
Clarence McClellan Thomas was born in Arkansas,
on 19 January 1924, the son of Woodlief Atha
Thomas and Ethie Maye McClellan Thomas. He
graduated from High School in 1941, and went
on to the University of Arkansas, at
Fayetteville.
Months into his first year of college,
Pearl Harbor was attacked, and after
completing his first year, he enlisted
in the U.S. Army Air Corps, on 26 October 1942.
He was sent for training, commissioned as
a Second Lieutenant, became a Pilot of P-47
Fighter Aircraft, and was assigned to the
12th Air Force, 86th Fighter Group, 527th
Fighter Squadron, stationed in the
Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO).
The 86th Fighter Group in March through
May of 1943, moved to North Africa and
trained until July, then began combat with
the Twelfth Air Force. They were
engaged primarily in close support of
ground forces, with the group moving forward
to bases in Sicily, Italy, Corsica, France,
and Germany as the battle line changed.
Patrol and interdictory missions were also
flown. A-36, P-40, and P-47 aircraft
were used to attack convoys, trains,
ammunition dumps, troop and supply columns,
shipping, bridges, rail lines, and other
objectives.
The 86th Fighter Group participated in the
softening up of Sicily and supported the
invasion by Seventh Army in July of 1943,
and provided cover for the landings at
Salerno in September of that year. The
Group assisted the Allied advance toward
Rome during Jan-Jun 1944. They supported
the invasion of Southern France in Aug
1944, and worked to take out enemy
communications in northern Italy from
Sep 1944 to April 1945. They attacked
enemy transportation in Germany
during April and May 1945.
On 03 January 1945, during a bombing
and strafing mission on the Rail Road
Bridge at Calcinto, Italy, 2nd Lt. Clarence
McClellan Thomas' plane, P-47D23RA;
Serial Number: 42-28036, developed engine
trouble. Sputtering and losing altitude,
Lt. Thomas' only option was to bail out,
which he did successfully.
The plane crashed and burned while he
parachuted to the ground, one mile southeast
of Ponte Dell Olio, Italy and some 14 miles
South of Piacenza, Italy.
Deep in Enemy Territory, Lt. Thomas evaded
capture by the Germans, and was aided by the
Italian Partisans. Behind the Enemy lines,
he met up with three other "downed" U.S.
Airmen, who were also being assisted by
the Italian Partisans. After many harrowing
weeks, of traversing through deep snow,
freezing temperatures, in the mountainous
terrain, and dodging German troops,
at every turn, the four U.S. Airmen,
together, crossed the lines into Friendly
Territory near Massa, Italy, on 15 February 1945.
After his World War II Service, Clarence McClellan
Thomas resumed his life, marrying Miss Emma Lou
Atherton, and he went back to College at the
University of Arkansas, to pursue his degree.
By the end of his College Eduaction, he was a
Certified Public Accountant, and an Attorney.
He became the proud Father of 2 sons and a daughter.
After a Courageous Battle with Cancer, His short life
ended on 29 August 1959. He was just 35 years old.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEVER FORGET His Service to Our Country.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NARA U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records,
1938-1946
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 18167566 18167566
NAME THOMAS#CLARENCE#M## THOMAS#CLARENCE#M##
RESIDENCE: STATE 87 ARKANSAS
RESIDENCE: COUNTY 119 PULASKI
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 8763 LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS
DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 26 26
DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH 10 10
DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR 42 42
GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION PVT# Private
GRADE: CODE 8 Private
BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION AC# Air Corps
BRANCH: CODE 20 Air Corps
EDUC. SPEC. ## ##
DEFER. DATE MONTH 00 00
DEFER. DATE YEAR 03 03
SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL 0 Civil Life
NATIVITY 87 ARKANSAS
YEAR OF BIRTH 24 24
RACE AND CITIZENSHIP 1 White, citizen
EDUCATION 5 1 year of college
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION 992 Undefined Code
MARITAL STATUS 6 Single, without dependents
COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 3 Reserves - exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of the Officers Reserve Corps on active duty under the Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Men -- O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status)
BOX NUMBER 0287 0287
FILM REEL NUMBER 3.9## 3.9##
----------------------
NARA Missing Air Crew Report--(MACR) No. 10952;
Aircraft: P-47D-23RA; Serial No. 42-28036;
03 January 1945.
----------------------
U.S. School Yearbooks
Name: Clarence M Thomas
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1923
Age: 20
School: University of Arkansas
School Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Year: 1943
Yearbook Title: Razorback
--
U.S. School Yearbooks
Name: Clarence M Thomas
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1927
Age: 20
School: University of Arkansas
School Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Year: 1947
Yearbook Title: Razorback
Clarence McClellan Thomas was born in Arkansas,
on 19 January 1924, the son of Woodlief Atha
Thomas and Ethie Maye McClellan Thomas. He
graduated from High School in 1941, and went
on to the University of Arkansas, at
Fayetteville.
Months into his first year of college,
Pearl Harbor was attacked, and after
completing his first year, he enlisted
in the U.S. Army Air Corps, on 26 October 1942.
He was sent for training, commissioned as
a Second Lieutenant, became a Pilot of P-47
Fighter Aircraft, and was assigned to the
12th Air Force, 86th Fighter Group, 527th
Fighter Squadron, stationed in the
Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO).
The 86th Fighter Group in March through
May of 1943, moved to North Africa and
trained until July, then began combat with
the Twelfth Air Force. They were
engaged primarily in close support of
ground forces, with the group moving forward
to bases in Sicily, Italy, Corsica, France,
and Germany as the battle line changed.
Patrol and interdictory missions were also
flown. A-36, P-40, and P-47 aircraft
were used to attack convoys, trains,
ammunition dumps, troop and supply columns,
shipping, bridges, rail lines, and other
objectives.
The 86th Fighter Group participated in the
softening up of Sicily and supported the
invasion by Seventh Army in July of 1943,
and provided cover for the landings at
Salerno in September of that year. The
Group assisted the Allied advance toward
Rome during Jan-Jun 1944. They supported
the invasion of Southern France in Aug
1944, and worked to take out enemy
communications in northern Italy from
Sep 1944 to April 1945. They attacked
enemy transportation in Germany
during April and May 1945.
On 03 January 1945, during a bombing
and strafing mission on the Rail Road
Bridge at Calcinto, Italy, 2nd Lt. Clarence
McClellan Thomas' plane, P-47D23RA;
Serial Number: 42-28036, developed engine
trouble. Sputtering and losing altitude,
Lt. Thomas' only option was to bail out,
which he did successfully.
The plane crashed and burned while he
parachuted to the ground, one mile southeast
of Ponte Dell Olio, Italy and some 14 miles
South of Piacenza, Italy.
Deep in Enemy Territory, Lt. Thomas evaded
capture by the Germans, and was aided by the
Italian Partisans. Behind the Enemy lines,
he met up with three other "downed" U.S.
Airmen, who were also being assisted by
the Italian Partisans. After many harrowing
weeks, of traversing through deep snow,
freezing temperatures, in the mountainous
terrain, and dodging German troops,
at every turn, the four U.S. Airmen,
together, crossed the lines into Friendly
Territory near Massa, Italy, on 15 February 1945.
After his World War II Service, Clarence McClellan
Thomas resumed his life, marrying Miss Emma Lou
Atherton, and he went back to College at the
University of Arkansas, to pursue his degree.
By the end of his College Eduaction, he was a
Certified Public Accountant, and an Attorney.
He became the proud Father of 2 sons and a daughter.
After a Courageous Battle with Cancer, His short life
ended on 29 August 1959. He was just 35 years old.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEVER FORGET His Service to Our Country.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NARA U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records,
1938-1946
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 18167566 18167566
NAME THOMAS#CLARENCE#M## THOMAS#CLARENCE#M##
RESIDENCE: STATE 87 ARKANSAS
RESIDENCE: COUNTY 119 PULASKI
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 8763 LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS
DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 26 26
DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH 10 10
DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR 42 42
GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION PVT# Private
GRADE: CODE 8 Private
BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION AC# Air Corps
BRANCH: CODE 20 Air Corps
EDUC. SPEC. ## ##
DEFER. DATE MONTH 00 00
DEFER. DATE YEAR 03 03
SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL 0 Civil Life
NATIVITY 87 ARKANSAS
YEAR OF BIRTH 24 24
RACE AND CITIZENSHIP 1 White, citizen
EDUCATION 5 1 year of college
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION 992 Undefined Code
MARITAL STATUS 6 Single, without dependents
COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 3 Reserves - exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of the Officers Reserve Corps on active duty under the Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Men -- O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status)
BOX NUMBER 0287 0287
FILM REEL NUMBER 3.9## 3.9##
----------------------
NARA Missing Air Crew Report--(MACR) No. 10952;
Aircraft: P-47D-23RA; Serial No. 42-28036;
03 January 1945.
----------------------
U.S. School Yearbooks
Name: Clarence M Thomas
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1923
Age: 20
School: University of Arkansas
School Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Year: 1943
Yearbook Title: Razorback
--
U.S. School Yearbooks
Name: Clarence M Thomas
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1927
Age: 20
School: University of Arkansas
School Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Year: 1947
Yearbook Title: Razorback
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