Joseph G. Clemons

Colonel Joseph Gordon Clemons, Jr. (April 30, 1928 – May 15, 2018) was a decorated soldier in the United States Army in the Korean War and in the Vietnam War. His actions in the 1953 Battle of Pork Chop Hill were the subject of a 1959 movie, Pork Chop Hill.[1]

Joseph Gordon Clemons, Jr.
Colonel Joseph G. Clemons, Jr.
Born(1928-04-30)April 30, 1928
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMay 15, 2018(2018-05-15) (aged 90)
Hendersonville, North Carolina, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchU.S. Army
Years of service1946 – early 1970s
Commands held
  • K Company, 31st Infantry Regiment
  • 198th Infantry Brigade
BattlesPork Chop Hill
Awards
  • Distinguished Service Cross
  • Silver Star
  • Bronze Star with V device
Spouse(s)Cecil Russell

Early life

Clemons's father was also Joseph G. Clemons. Clemons lived for a while and attended elementary school in Hillsborough County, Florida.[2] Clemons graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1945 and enlisted in the Army, serving for eighteen months before being appointed to West Point.[3] He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1951 (Cullum number 18024).[4] During the Korean War, his residence was Arlington, Virginia.[3]

Korean War

Clemons was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross while serving as a platoon leader in Company K, 31st Infantry Regiment for "heroism in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, October 28, 1952", a part of the Battle of Triangle Hill. In that action, Clemons led the attack platoon in a counterattack, leading multiple attacks with limited ammunition, including hand-to-hand fighting.[3][5] On April 17, 1953,[3] after being assigned as the commanding officer of Company K while still a first lieutenant, he led the counterattack on Pork Chop Hill.[6]:75 He was awarded the Silver Star for his part in this action.[7] In his Silver Star citation, Clemons's "gallantry, personal example, and outstanding leadership" was cited as the major factor in taking and holding the position, commenting further that "rarely in combat history has a force of the size committed on Pork Chop taken such losses ... and nevertheless continued to hold their position".[3][7] At one point during the battle, Clemons estimated that he had lost approximately half his force.[8] During the battle Clemons was reinforced by G Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, commanded by his brother-in-law, Walter B. Russell Jr.[9]

Clemons and his command served as the centerpiece of a book by S.L.A. Marshall called Pork Chop Hill[7] which was turned into a 1959 movie, Pork Chop Hill.[1] In the movie, he was portrayed by Gregory Peck,[6]:75 and Clemons served as a technical adviser.[7]

Later career

After the Korean War, Clemons was stationed at Fort Campbell as an officer in the 101st Airborne Division.[7] Later in his service, he rose to the rank of Colonel and became the commander of 198th Infantry Brigade in 1969 during the Vietnam War. While commanding the 198th, he ordered that his personal helicopter be for medical resupply and evacuation missions. On a mission in 1970, he landed when one of his units was pinned down by intense enemy fire. Clemons ordered his pilot to pick up and evacuate the wounded while he remained on the ground; he was awarded the Bronze Star with V device for valor.[10] He was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2007 by the West Point Association of Graduates.[10]

He was interviewed in 2013 concerning a book.[11]

Personal life

In 1952, Clemons married Cecil B. Russell, daughter of Major Walter B. Russell.[12] In late 1973, Clemons passed the State of Hawaii examination for real estate salesman or broker.[13]

Clemons died on May 15, 2018 in Hendersonville, North Carolina of complications from pneumonia at the age of 90.[14]

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References
  1. Lentz, Robert J. (2003). "Pork Chop Hill". Korean war filmography: 91 English language features through 2000. Jefferson, North Carolina, USA: McFarland. pp. 276–284. ISBN 978-0-7864-3876-1.
  2. "Movie Based on Plant City Man's Record". The Tampa Times. 30 May 1959. p. 2. Retrieved 2017-12-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Former Poly boy honored: Lieut. Joseph G. Clemons, Jr., wins D.S.C. in Korea". Baltimore Sun. 31 July 1953. p.18 (col. 4). Archived from the original on 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2017-12-13 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "COL Joseph G. Clemons Jr. USA (retired)". West Point Connection. n.d. Archived from the original on 2017-12-12. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  5. "Joseph Gordon Clemons, Jr". Hall of Valor. Military Times. n.d. Archived from the original on 2017-05-13. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  6. Rubin, Steven Jay (2017). Combat films: American realism, 1945–2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina, USA: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5892-9.
  7. "Paratroop Korean hero is Hollywood bound". Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. 10 March 1958. p. 10 (col. 3). Archived from the original on 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2017-12-13 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Marino, Joseph I. (12 June 2006) [first published April 2003 in Military History magazine]. "Korean War: Battle on Pork Chop Hill". Military History. HistoryNet. Archived from the original on 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  9. "THE BLOODIEST YEAR—1953" (PDF). 31stinfantry.org. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  10. "2007 Distinguished Graduate Award: COL Joseph G. Clemons '51". West Point Association of Graduates. n.d. Archived from the original on 2017-12-12. Retrieved 2017-12-13.
  11. Venditta, David (July 10, 1969). Tragedy at Chu Lai: Reconstructing a Deadly Grenade Accident in a U.S. Army Classroom in Vietnam. McFarland. p. 124. ISBN 9781476624389.
  12. "Miss Russell betrothed". Baltimore Sun (Sunday morning ed.). 3 August 1952. sec. B, p. 14 (col. 5). Archived from the original on 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2017-12-13 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Vitousek Real Estate Schools". The Honolulu Advertiser. December 2, 1973. p. 116. Retrieved December 22, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Joseph G. Clemons, Hero of Pork Chop Hill, Dies at 90". The Washington Post. May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
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