LEE, Clifton, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue and submitted by Inez Bridges Tate.
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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
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From "St. Helena Vets Remember World War II: Personal Interviews
With World War II Vets", published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1995.  Compiled and edited by Inez Bridges Tate and
reprinted with permission.

     Clifton Lee was born and grew up in the Red Bluff Community.
He graduated from Oakland High School in 1940.  He was in the
CCC's for several months at Kentwood and later at a camp near
Grangeville.

     Clifton was drafted into the Army on August 3, 1942, going 
first to Camp Beauregard near Alexandria, then he was sent to 
Fort Sam Houston, San Antoino, Texas for basic training.  He had
additional training to prepare as a military police (M.P.) at a 
camp near San Antonio.

     He recalled he only had one leave to come home and this was
for only five days.  He went overseas in 1943 to the European
Theater of Operations (E.T.O.).  He landed in Scotland.  He
stated he was also in the countries of England, Belgium, France,
Luxembourg, Germany and to the border of Czechoslovakia, but did
not enter Czechoslovakia.

     Noted on Clifton's discharge: "For 38 months served vari-
ous duties of M.P. in United States and Central Europe and last
four months patroled streets of Paris to observe enlisted men in 
keeping Army regulations.  For balance of time guarded prisoners
of war and escorted them to confinement and details."

     Battles and Campaigns: "Northern France, Central Europe."

     Decorations and Citations: "A.T.O. Medal; E.A.M.E.T.O. 
Medal; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal."

     Military Education:  "A.S.F., Military Police School,
Fountainbleau, France, M.P. Course 3 weeks.  Studied Judo,
Patrolling, writing forms and other duties."

     He recalled he saw Hubert Lee and Holcomb Easley while in
Texas.  After the war was over he saw Bill Frazier and Charlie
Ray Allen in England.

     He received his discharge January 13, 1946 at Camp Shelby,
Mississippi.  While enroute home, at Jackson, Ms. he went to pick
up his bag and heard someone say, "I'll help you there, Soldier."
It was Kennon Bridges who was returning home from the Pacific
Theater while he, Clifton , was returning from E.T.O.  Quite a
coincidence.

     Clifton returned home to St. Helena and did some construc-
tion work and operated a dairy.  He worked in maintenance at
St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg for 20 years.  A 
bachelor, he lives alone in the house where he was born.  He
raises and 'runs' fox dogs.  He enjoys visiting in the community.

------

Newspaper Clippings:

16 July 1943

Pvt. Clifton Lee has returned to 
Hunterville, Texas, after a visit
here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Dewitt Lee

28 Apr 1944

Pfc. Clifton Lee of Huntsville, 
Texas, won the Good Medal con-
duct pin.  Pfc. Lee has been in
service for the past two years.  He
is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt
Lee of the First Ward of St. Hel-
ena parish.

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