Clinton C. Walda was born on May 9, 1895, he was the son of Herman Charles and Katrina E. “Katie” (Meckel) Walda of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In the 1900 census 5-year-old Clinton is living with his parents, sister Willo, 7, and uncle Henry, 37, at 203 Taylor Street in Wayne Township, Allen County, Indiana. His father is a painter in a railroad shop. Uncle Henry is a house painter. By the 1910 census 14-year-old Clinton is living with his parents and siblings Willo, 16, Clarence, 9, Helen, 5, and Homer, 7 mos, at 1440 Taylor Street in Fort Wayne. His father is still a painter for the railroad. Clinton is a message boy for the electric light company. He enlisted in the Army on May 11, 1917 and trained at Fort Bliss, Texas and Camp Le Valdahon, France. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Private in Battery E, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Division. He was sent overseas on July 27, 1917. He fought in battles of Luneville, Toul, Montdidier-Noyon, and Cantigny. He died from his wounds received in battle on April 29, 1918 and is now buried in Somme American Cemetery, Bony, France.

He was awarded Silver Star by Major General McIntyre for exceptional bravery and devotion to duty by remaining with his horses until he was wounded and refusing first aid until his wounded comrades had received medical attention.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com