Clair Yohe received his A.B. degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1926. He received his theological training at Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey, and receive his B.D. degree in 1931, and was ordained a Methodist minister. He entered active duty military service and was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain on August 8, 1942, serving with the 104th Infantry Division, which landed in France on September 7, 1944. Both Chaplain Yohe and his Chaplain’s Assistant Technician Fifth Grade Orville Spencer earned the Silver Star together in March 1945. On April 17 Chaplain Yohe was captured, wounded, and then was freed when friendly troops captured the town in which he was being held as a Prisoner of War. He was honorably discharged from active duty on June 11, 1946, and promoted to major in the U.S. Army Reserves. He received his Master of Sacred Theology from Drew Theological Seminary in 1954. He died in 1991 of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Sponsored by:
–
Born:
,
Home:
,
Buried:
,
Cemetery:
Awards Received
-
Silver Star
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
414th Infantry RegimentDivision:
104th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
March 1, 1945
Headquarters, 104th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 145 (May 20, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Clair Frederick Yohe (ASN: 0-479282), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with the 414th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in action in Germany, on 1 March 1945. Voluntarily and by great risk to his life, Captain Yohe, accompanied by two men, crossed open, fire-swept terrain to enter a town under heavy enemy fire in search of wounded men. Working throughout the night, they administered first aid to the wounded and then began the return trip to evacuate the seriously wounded men. Carrying a heavy litter improvised from a window lattice work, Chaplain Yohe and another man made their way back to the aid station, crossing a treacherous steam on a narrow catwalk,. The gallant courage and intrepidity displayed by Captain Yohe are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Corps of Chaplains and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.