Clarence Martin Platt

Age: 89yrs old

Born: December 5th 1923

Place of Birth: Boston Massachusetts

Died: January 31st 2012

Cause: Heart Attack

Married to Arlene E. Platt who passed in 2008

Survived by: Three children and Six grand children

Clarence Platt lived through the Great Depression life was very tuff. Their Father was always gone trying to find work. Clarence was the oldest boy, finding food for his Mother, Brother and Sister during those times was horrible for everyone and a tough way to grow up. Clarence struggled through the tuff times until he turned 17, at that time he enlisted in the United States Navy as a way to escape his rough life growing up in South Boston. He loved the Navy. They gave him plenty of food, they provided clothing and medical care life was great. He was in the service for 20 years. In that time he saw plenty of what war had to give. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor. He woke up on December 7th from his bunk as the bombs exploded everywhere. He watched as his plane was sitting on the tarmac and was destroyed in the attack. He grabbed a 45 and ran out of the barracks only in his skivvies firing at the low flying planes. He told me once, they were flying so low that when he ran out of bullets he threw rocks at them. He soon was attached to Patrol Squadron Twenty-Three this consisted of PBY seaplanes the ones with the bubble on the back sides. He soon found himself patrolling for the Enemy at Midway Islands. For a few days he retrieved pilots who had been shot down by the Japanese. He was the planes radio operator and sent radio messages telling the enemy’s position. They were lucky they were never spotted by the enemy planes. The PBY sea plane was no match for enemy fighters. After the war he found himself in the Korean War. Where he flew ten missions over Korea and was awarded a citation from the Secretary of the Navy which read:

“For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as a member of a patrol plane crew in patrol squadron Forty-Two during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 21 August to 30 September 1950. completing ten missions during this period, Platt participated in daring flights over hostile territory. By his skill, courage and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave hazards, he contributed outstandingly to the success of his plane and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval service.”

After 20 years of service Clarence Platt along with his other medals, WW II Victory Medal, Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, China Service Medal, Navy Occupation Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Citations was awarded an Air Medal with valor. Clarence later went on to become a FAA Inspector in Long Beach, Calif. where he also excelled. He retired in Westminster until he died last January. Its important to honor veterans so people won’t forget the sacrifices that have been made so that we can be free.

Services will be held at;

Riverside National Cemetery

22495 Van Buren Boulevard

Riverside, CA. 92518

Date: Dec. 7th 2012

Time: 1pm at Staging area #1

You can visit website to read his obituary, sign book or leave message at westminstermemorial.com