Wesley Reginald Clinton

"Sergeant York"

Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 895094

Born

March 24, 1924
in Monroe, AR

Parents

George Washington Clinton (d. 1942)
Hassie Pearl (Simpson) Clinton

School

Cypress Ridge School
Details unknown

Pre-War Employment

Farming

Entered Service

October 2, 1943
at Little Rock, AR

Joined First Battalion

December 11, 1943
from MCB San Diego

Left First Battalion

July 8, 1944
Killed in action at Saipan

Left Service

July 8, 1944
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

103 East Ash Street, Brinkley, AR – home of mother, Mrs. Hassie Pearl Clinton

Service & Campaigns

Before joining battalion

Boot camp at MCRD San Diego with First Recruit Battalion. Outposted directly to Charlie Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, 11 December 1943.

Roi-Namur

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)

Campaign Narrative

Saipan

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)
Important Events:
July 8, 1944 – killed in action (gunshot, back), reportedly while pursuing Japanese snipers flushed from a cave
July 11, 1944 – buried in Plot 5, Row 1, Grave 930, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery

Campaign Narrative

Individual Decorations

Medal
Purple Heart

Campaign
Saipan (July 8, 1944)

Citation
—

A 1948 newspaper obituary suggests that Wesley received the Bronze Star Medal. No confirming citation has been found.

Wesley is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Brinkley, Arkansas.
His brother, Pvt. Boyce T. Clinton (KIA 12 December 1944) is buried beside him.

Gallery

Disinterment report for PFC Clinton on Saipan, 1948.

Hassie Clinton desired a single ceremony for her two sons killed in action. Shipment of the brothers' remains was coordinated to comply.

The Daily World, 27 October 1948.

The Arkansas Gazette, 2 November 1948.