Clement Herbert Will USA Col. Ret.

COLONEL CLEMENT H. WILL, USA RET.

Clement H. Will was born 9 May, 1927, in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from the San Antonio Vocational & Technical High School in January, 1944. He worked as a machinist apprentice for the Missouri Pacific Lines until age 17, when he volunteered for the U.S. Marine Corps. Wounded on Iwo Jima on 3 March, 1945, he returned to the Fifth Marine Division for the initial occupation of Japan.

He returned to San Antonio in May of 1946 and entered Trinity University. He received a direct commission in the U. S. Army Reserve as a 2nd Lt. Infantry in February, 1949. After attending the Infantry Scholl he returned to San Antonio to marry Mary Louis Cantú. The couple's first duty station was Berlin Germany.

He enjoyed assignments with many of the U.S. Army's finest units as an infantry and later a Field Artillery Officer. Some of the units were the 1st Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and 101st Airborne Division. The majority of his assignments were as a commander at levels from Platoon to Brigade.

His last foreign tour was as Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Portugal. His total overseas service in peace and war was 14 years out of 32 years active duty, 2years USMC and 30 years U.S. Army. Colonel Will Received 23 separated U.S. and foreign decorations and many service medals. Included were 3 Legions of Merit, 3 Bronze Star Medals, The Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and 8 Air Medals one with V device. He also received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star and Silver Star. Colonel Will Retired from active service in 1979 and worked for the Guy Chipman Company as a sales agent and manager.

In 1985 he was honored as manager of the year and was made a vice-president of the company in 1986, and retired n 1987. Colonel Will was a life member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 7108, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, and the 5th Marine Division Association. He was National President of the 5th Marine Division Association in 1986 and sponsored the 1986 reunion in San Antonio.

He spent his retirement years gardening, traveling and working as a volunteer. Colonel Will attended many army schools to include the Command and General Staff College at Fr. Leavenworth, KS, was a graduated of the Army War College class of 1971 at Carlisle Barracks, PA. He helped to organize the Alamo Chapter, Texas, as well as the 15, 20, 21, 23 and 28 Districts of the National Association for the Uniformed Services and was elected the Chapters Founding President.

He was elected to the national board of directors in 1992. Colonel Will received his B.A. from the University of Maryland in 1961, and M.A. from Shippensburg State College, PA in 1971. Both degrees were in Political Science. During his retirement years he remained very interested in governmental affairs and made his views known to officials at all levels of government.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary L. Will, of San Antonio, daughter Linda G. Will; granddaughter, Dominique Nicole Philipp; son, Clark B. Will and daughter-in-law, Donna G. Will; grandsons, Nathanael Aaron Will and Nicholas Andrew Will; sisters, Claribel Bierschwale and Henrietta Brokholm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in the name of Clement H. Will.