Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Clarence
Joseph
Hagan
KIA (WWII)
June 20, 1911

–

January 6, 1945

Cemetery:

Saint Catherine Cemetery

Clarence Hagan studied at Saint Mary’s College for three years, and took his theological course at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. He was ordained a Catholic priest at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 3, 1939. His first assignment was as assistant at Saint James Church in Louisville until 1943, when he became a civilian chaplain at Fort Knox. The following year he was commissioned a U.S. Army Chaplain, and after attending the Chaplain School at Harvard University, he served at Camp Swift, Texas, until December 1944, when he was deployed to the European Theater of Operations. He had only been in his combat assignment for two weeks before the incident that earned him a Silver Star and mortally wounded him.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    86th Mountain Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    10th Mountain Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 6, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Clarence Joseph Hagan (ASN: 0-553473), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Leghorn, Italy, on 6 January 1945. Chaplain Hagan entered a mine field to accompany a Medical Aidman who had gone to the aid of a soldier injured by a “Bouncing Betty” explosive device planted by the German troops. While administering spiritual comfort to the wounded soldier, the medic stepped on a mine and Chaplain Hagan was mortally wounded. He was evacuated to a field hospital where he died three hours later. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Hagan, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.