Clifton James Stewart was born on September 6, 1924, in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Clifton S. and Pearl L. Stewart. He was married to Helen T. Stewart. He enlisted in the service on October 10, 1942. He served in the 765th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-24J #42-52025 nicknamed “Arsenic and Lace” during World War II.

On December 17, 1944, the ''Arsenic and Lace'' took off from Torretta Airfield in Italy as part of a 15th Air Force mission to bomb the Odertal synthetic oil refinery in German-occupied Silesia. The formation was heavily engaged by German fighters near the target. At about 26,000 feet, Arsenic and Lace was hit and exploded in the air. Parts of the Liberator came down on the outskirts of Olomouc, in today’s Czech Republic, with wreckage falling by the Neředín Cemetery. Five of the crew of Arsenic and Lace were killed in action, while the rest were taken prisoner.

Sgt Stewart was captured and imprisoned at Stalag Luft in Barth, Germany, and later completed his military service as a Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from the service on October 5, 1945. He died on January 10, 1992, and is now buried in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, USA.

Source of information: 461st.org, www.americanairmuseum.com