Union County residents remember our beloved hero Don Clevenger
July 20, 2022 at 7:24 p.m.
Donald V. Clevenger was born on January 16, 1925 in Brownsville. Clevenger was widely known as the last living WWII hero in Union County and passed away at the age of 97 on Wednesday, July 6. Sunday, July 17 the streets along the way to Brownsville United Methodist Cemetery were lined with community members who came to pay their respects.
“Some things are just bigger than you, and worth standing in the rain for. T's and P's to Mr Clevenger's family and friends. My family is eternally grateful for your service,” Kyle LeMaster posted to his Facebook page Sunday afternoon.
Clevenger served in the Navy from 1942-46. He was 17-years-old when he enlisted along with five Brownsville friends. “Russell Wright, two Daggy boys and two Carter boys,” Clevenger said in previous interviews. “I was in boot camp five days and loved duty in Guantanamo Bay for its rum.”
Clevenger was stationed on the east coast as an aviation metalsmith, where he was tasked with patrolling the waters from New Brunswick, Maine to Bermuda and Guantanamo Bay. He was awarded various medals, including World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Clevenger spent two winters in Bermuda helping rebuild airplanes.
“We rebuilt three air-planes there so they could fly them to Maine and scrap them,” Clevenger had stated “They were still flying when I left.”
After his tours of duty, Clevenger came back to Union County to work and learn from his carpenter father, Leroy, for 12 years. He then joined Miles & Richmond where he completed 28 years as a carpenter.
Clevenger served Union County in many ways through out his life. He was a faithful member of Edwards Memorial Church, Liberty Lions Club, American Legion Post #122, and VFW Post #1472. Union County honored him in many ways as he was the recipient of an Honor Quilt presented by the Ladies Auxiliary, the caretaker for the American Legion, the Grand Marshal for two Liberty parades, and the recipient of the 2015 Honor Flight to our nation's capital.
Every Memorial Day, Clevenger would place flags on many Veterans' graves to honor their service and remind their families they are not forgotten. Clevenger was and will always be a staple in our community and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
- staff report
Latest News
E-Editions
Events
Donald V. Clevenger was born on January 16, 1925 in Brownsville. Clevenger was widely known as the last living WWII hero in Union County and passed away at the age of 97 on Wednesday, July 6. Sunday, July 17 the streets along the way to Brownsville United Methodist Cemetery were lined with community members who came to pay their respects.
“Some things are just bigger than you, and worth standing in the rain for. T's and P's to Mr Clevenger's family and friends. My family is eternally grateful for your service,” Kyle LeMaster posted to his Facebook page Sunday afternoon.
Clevenger served in the Navy from 1942-46. He was 17-years-old when he enlisted along with five Brownsville friends. “Russell Wright, two Daggy boys and two Carter boys,” Clevenger said in previous interviews. “I was in boot camp five days and loved duty in Guantanamo Bay for its rum.”
Clevenger was stationed on the east coast as an aviation metalsmith, where he was tasked with patrolling the waters from New Brunswick, Maine to Bermuda and Guantanamo Bay. He was awarded various medals, including World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Clevenger spent two winters in Bermuda helping rebuild airplanes.
“We rebuilt three air-planes there so they could fly them to Maine and scrap them,” Clevenger had stated “They were still flying when I left.”
After his tours of duty, Clevenger came back to Union County to work and learn from his carpenter father, Leroy, for 12 years. He then joined Miles & Richmond where he completed 28 years as a carpenter.
Clevenger served Union County in many ways through out his life. He was a faithful member of Edwards Memorial Church, Liberty Lions Club, American Legion Post #122, and VFW Post #1472. Union County honored him in many ways as he was the recipient of an Honor Quilt presented by the Ladies Auxiliary, the caretaker for the American Legion, the Grand Marshal for two Liberty parades, and the recipient of the 2015 Honor Flight to our nation's capital.
Every Memorial Day, Clevenger would place flags on many Veterans' graves to honor their service and remind their families they are not forgotten. Clevenger was and will always be a staple in our community and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
- staff report