Clyde Leroy Coldren was born on October 2, 1919, in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Charles Wesley Coldren and Pauline Marie Schmidt Coldren. He was married to Joan Bessie Price. He served in the 366th Fighter Squadron, 358th Fighter Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot during World War II.

On March 8, 1944, 2Lt Coldren was flying his P-47 Thunderbolt (callsign White 4) as part of the 366th Fighter Squadron, escorting a bomber formation over enemy territory. According to the witness statement of his squadron mate, Coldren was flying in formation with the lead aircraft when trouble developed shortly after the bombers crossed into Germany. Although his propeller was still turning and there was no obvious damage, Coldren’s aircraft began to lag and failed to respond to radio calls. Attempts to maintain formation with him were unsuccessful, and as he continued alone, his engine lost power. At about 10,000 feet, his prop stopped, and his aircraft started descending. The squadron leader advised him to bail out, but Coldren remained with the aircraft as it dropped in altitude to around 3,000 feet. Soon afterward, the plane went into a spin and crashed on the Elspeeter Heath near Epe in Holland. Ground defenses opened up around the wreckage, and the other pilots were forced to withdraw from the area.

2Lt Coldren was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Venus Cemetery, Fryburg, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com