Clifton Clinton B.

Name:

Clinton B. Clifton

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-705477

Unit:

600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-09-10

State:

Oklahoma

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

Plot:

Section 34

Row:

Grave:

Site 2427

Decoration:

Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Clinton B. Clifton was born on October 7, 1920, in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma. He was the son of Thomas Luther Clifton and Eva Stafford Clifton. He was married to Patricia Gareau Clifton. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-17 #42-107103 nicknamed ''Maria Notre Dame'' during World War II.

On September 10, 1944, "Marie Notre Dame" was assigned to a bombing mission targeting Gaggenau, Germany. Just seconds before releasing its bombs, the aircraft sustained a direct hit from anti-aircraft flak, resulting in catastrophic damage. The B-17 crashed near Bautzen, close to Stuttgart-Münster, Germany. Tragically, five crew members were killed in action. The remaining four survived and were captured by German forces, becoming prisoners of war.

2Lt Clifton was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA. Clinton B. Clifton's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 18, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org