Robert Blaine “Bud” Clay was born on June 29, 1918, in South Willard, Box Elder County, Utah. He was the son of Wallace Adair Clay and Bertha C. Gordon Clay. He was the husband of Mildred Pearl West Clay. He served in the 509th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Captain and Pilot of B-17 42-38005 nicknamed ''Stormy Weather'' during World War II.
On May 24, 1944, during a mission targeting Berlin, "Stormy Weather" encountered mechanical issues with its No. 2 engine, causing it to drop out of formation. The crew attempted to return to base but were forced to make an emergency landing near Myrholm, close to Sønderborg on the island of Als in Denmark. The aircraft crash-landed in a field near the farm Skærtoft and a house called Østerholm. All ten crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war.
Cpt Clay was held at Stalag Luft 3 in Zagan, Poland, later being relocated to Nuremberg-Langwasser (Bavaria). After the war, Bud earned a PhD in physical sciences through the GI Bill, teaching physics at Fresno State and Santa Ana College, and contributing to explosives research at the University of Utah. A prolific inventor, he authored over 30 patents in mining explosives and directed research at Ireco Chemicals, revolutionizing the industry. He retired as a USAF Lieutenant Colonel. Clay died on December 21, 2007, and is now buried in the Aultorest Memorial Park, Ogden, Weber County, Utah, USA.
Source of information: www.airmen.dk, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.findagrave.com