The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, 1LT Paul Eugene Clawson, O-1334968, who died in the service of his country on May 21st, 1951 in South Korea, Hill 329 north of Seoul. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Paul was 25 years of age. He was from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Paul's Military Occupation Specialty was 1542.
The decorations earned by 1LT Paul Eugene Clawson include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
BURIAL LOCATION:GRANDVIEW CEMETERY, Southmont, PA
Lieutenant Clawsons Distinguished Service Cross citation.
First Lieutenant Paul E Clawson, Infantry, U.S. Army, while a member of Company F, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea on May 21, 1951. Company F was given the mission of attacking and securing Hill 329, held by a well-entrenched and determined enemy force. As the assaulting elements fought their way up the slope, handicapped by the slippery footing caused by an earlier rain, they suddenly came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire that effectively pinned them down. Realizing that the present position was untenable, Lieutenant Clawson immediately moved to the head of his unit and rallied his men. Leading them in a massed assault against the final objective, he personally killed three enemy soldiers that had been holding up their advance. As the attack continued, Lieutenant Clawson observed one of his men fall wounded. Unhesitatingly, he moved through the intense enemy fire and carried the injured man to safety. Returning, he picked up the wounded man's weapon and continued to lead the assault until he was shot and instantly killed by a burst of fire from an enemy machine gun. Due to Lieutenant Clawsons selfless courage and inspiring leadership, the objective was won shortly after he fell. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Lieutenant Clawson in the action reflected great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
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