Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Clinton
Utterback
True
May 19, 1913

–

February 11, 1997

Born:

New Orleans

, 

Louisiana

Home:

New Orleans

, 

Louisiana

Buried: 

Pensacola

, 

Florida

Cemetery:

Barrancas National Cemetery

Clinton True graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1936. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    345th Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Clinton Utterback True, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Medium Bomber and Commanding Officer, 345th Bombardment Group (M), FIFTH Air Force, during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    1961 – 1966
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Clinton Utterback True, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1961 to 1966.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    345th Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1943 – 1944
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Clinton Utterback True, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 345th Bombardment Group (M), FIFTH Air Force, from 1943 to 1944.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    345th Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 18, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 2 (January 11, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Clinton Utterback True (ASN: 0-20271), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Medium Bomber and Commanding Officer, 345th Bombardment Group (M), FIFTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 18 October 1943, against enemy targets at Rabaul. On that date the mission was cancelled because of bad weather, forcing the fighter cover to turn back. Unaware of this fact, Colonel True lead his group and continued to the target, destroying the enemy in a highly successful raid. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel True on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.