Clayton served as a Corporal, 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Morris County, New Jersey prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on October 29, 1942 in Utica, New York. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being Single, without dependents.

Clayton was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227).

On her fifth voyage the S.S. Paul Hamilton left Hampton Roads, Virginia on April 2, 1944 as part of convoy UGS 38, carrying supplies and the ground personnel of the 485th Bombardment Group and the 5th Reconnaissance Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Italy.

On the evening of April 20th the Hamilton and other ships in the convoy were attacked 30 miles (48 km) in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers by 23 German Ju 88 bombers.

One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs, and the ship and crew disappeared within 30 seconds. A total of approximately 580 men where lost.

Clayton was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 32579483

Clayton also has a "cenotaph" in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, Saranac Lake, New York where his family choose to show his state of birth (New York) instead of his state of residence (New Jersey).
" Click Here " for that record.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) and the S.S. Royal Star were also sunk in this attack.
The Lansdale had a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.
The Royal Star lost only one member of their crew.

The Lansdale received four battle stars for World War II service.

********************************************************
***I would like to thank ernie Find A Grave ID 48454782 for updating the middle name and birth location on this memorial in addition to linking his father to it***

Clayton served as a Corporal, 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Morris County, New Jersey prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on October 29, 1942 in Utica, New York. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being Single, without dependents.

Clayton was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227).

On her fifth voyage the S.S. Paul Hamilton left Hampton Roads, Virginia on April 2, 1944 as part of convoy UGS 38, carrying supplies and the ground personnel of the 485th Bombardment Group and the 5th Reconnaissance Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Italy.

On the evening of April 20th the Hamilton and other ships in the convoy were attacked 30 miles (48 km) in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers by 23 German Ju 88 bombers.

One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs, and the ship and crew disappeared within 30 seconds. A total of approximately 580 men where lost.

Clayton was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 32579483

Clayton also has a "cenotaph" in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, Saranac Lake, New York where his family choose to show his state of birth (New York) instead of his state of residence (New Jersey).
" Click Here " for that record.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) and the S.S. Royal Star were also sunk in this attack.
The Lansdale had a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.
The Royal Star lost only one member of their crew.

The Lansdale received four battle stars for World War II service.

********************************************************
***I would like to thank ernie Find A Grave ID 48454782 for updating the middle name and birth location on this memorial in addition to linking his father to it***