Clyde Shoup, service number 0-712044, served as a WWII airman in Europe. Born on June 25, 1921, he grew up in Lambertville, Michigan. Cylde was the youngest son of Carl & Edith Shoup. He had 3 older brothers Lambert, Leonard, Homer, and a younger sister named Doris Shoup. He did not attend college but did graduate from Lambertville High School in 1939. Before the war at 19, Clyde worked 40 hours a week as a shipping clerk. He was married to Miss Irma Elliott, 20 on June 28, 1941 in the garden of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Elliott and established a home in Bedford, Michigan. He was inducted into the service in December 1942. His older brothers Lambert and Homer were also in the service during the war. Clyde attended aviation school at Randolph Field, Texas in February 1942, where he stepped out of the rank of the cadets and earned his wings as a pilot. He arrived in England in July 1944, leaving his wife Irma and ten month old daughter Susan behind in Michigan.
As a Second Lieutenant, he was assigned to the 386th Fighter Squadron. As a part of the 365th Fighter Group, he flew in a P-47D Thunderbolt armed with eight fifty-caliber machine guns, rockets and napalm. The 386th Fighter Squadron was part of the 9th Air Force, which assisted General Hodge’s First Army. Their objective was protect the ground forces from enemy air attack and destroy any obstacles that prevented our ground forces from advancing. Shoup and his fellow pilots flew constantly during July and August as the Allies pursued the retreating German Army across France, the group moved frequently to stay close enough to the front lines, supporting the ground troops.
On October 7, 1944 Lieutenant Shoup took off on his final mission. His Fighter Group had been ordered to sweep over German airfields near Bonn, Germany and destroy German aircraft on the ground. After attacking the city’s main airfield the American pilots spotted several German fighters preparing to land at a smaller airfield. Filled with confidence, Shoup and the other pilots dove towards the Germans. The German anti-aircraft gunners were waiting and filled the sky with flak. Shoup’s Thunderbolt was hit by enemy fire. He was last seen falling from his plane with an unopened parachute. The Americans managed to down a pair of attacking Focke-Wulfs in revenge and then quickly left the area.
Lieutenant Shoup was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Cluster, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal for meritorious achievements while participation in missions before his death and awards after for his service. He was later then buried in Plot K, Row 15, Grave 22 in the Netherlands American Cemetery.
Clyde's brother Lambert joined the Canadian Army and served in the Essex Scottish Regiment. He died as a POW in the Czech Republic onFebruary 13, 1945. He is buried in the CWGC Cemetery- Plaque War Cemetery (Grave: II.A.1)
Source: Air Museum Britain