Roll Call Tribute
Clifton Harrel '50 March 27, 2015 12:53 PM
(Published in) Alice Echo-News Journal (on) March 19, 2009
Clifton H. Harrel
Dr. Clifton H. Harrel, 87, passed away recently. A member of a pioneer South Texas family, he was born to Lillian and Hale N. Harrel in Smithville Sept. 9, 1921.
He grew up and attended schools in Kingsville, graduating from Henrietta M. King High School in 1940. He then attended John Tarleton and Texas A&M. Early in 1942, he volunteered for service in the Army Air Corps. He was honorably discharged from the military at the end of World War II, and in 1945 he returned to Texas A&M in 1946, graduating from the School of Veterinary Medicine in June 1950. At that time he located his clinic to Robstown, from which he conducted an extensive practice over a large area of South Texas for many years.
He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and the Coastal Bend Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Harrel took an active part in youth activities, devoting many years of service to the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show. He was instrumental in founding both the Texas Youth Rodeo Association and Nueces County Youth Rodeo Association, serving as a director for the latter organization for 15 years. He was a member of the original Nueces County Mounted Sheriffs' Posse under Sheriff Johnny Mitchell and was a member of the Robstown Cowboy Polo Team. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association, the American Quarter Horse Association and a founding member of the Appaloosa Horse Association.
A combat veteran of the Eighth Air Force in World War II, he served as a B-17 Flying Fortress tail gunner, participating in many of the most hazardous missions over Nazi Germany, including two raids on the ball bearing factories at Schweinfurt, Germany and six of the first daylight raids on Berlin as well as "Big Week," the period in February 1944 noted as the most violent aerial conflict in history.
Among his awards and decoration are: The American Theater medal, Good Conduct medal, Victory Medal WWII, the European, African, Mid-East Medal with four Bronze Stars, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, the Silver Star Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross, as well as the Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf and the Yugoslav War Cross.
He was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society and 457th Bomb Group Association. He was a charter life member of V.F.W. Post No. 7841 and a charter life member of D.A.V. Chapter No. 212, having served several terms as commander of the latter organization. He was a life member of the Black Thursday 2nd Schweinfurt Memorial Organization and his name is among those inscribed on the Wall of Valor at the 8th Air Force Heritage Center, Savannah, Ga., as well as at the American Air Museum, Duxford, England.
While attending to a severely injured dog in 1953, he met and married Joyce.
Dr. Harrel is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Joyce Harrel; his children, Mike Harrel, Debra Joy Eddy, Terry Harrel and Patricia Dian Simnacher; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandsons.
Graveside funeral services with full military honors were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, March 13, in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Burial followed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, the A.S.P.C.A. or the charity of your choice.
Sawyer-George Funeral Home
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From findagrave.com
Clifton Hale Harrel
Birth: Sep. 9, 1921
Death: Mar. 10, 2009
Inscription:
Silver Star
DFC PH AM
Beloved Husband
Loving Father
Note: SSGT US Army Air Forces, World War II
Burial:
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
San Antonio
Bexar County
Texas, USA
Plot: Section 43 Site 1222
Maintained by: Misty & Company
Originally Created by: International Wargraves ...
Record added: Jul 05, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 72740301
Clifton H. Harrel
Dr. Clifton H. Harrel, 87, passed away recently. A member of a pioneer South Texas family, he was born to Lillian and Hale N. Harrel in Smithville Sept. 9, 1921.
He grew up and attended schools in Kingsville, graduating from Henrietta M. King High School in 1940. He then attended John Tarleton and Texas A&M. Early in 1942, he volunteered for service in the Army Air Corps. He was honorably discharged from the military at the end of World War II, and in 1945 he returned to Texas A&M in 1946, graduating from the School of Veterinary Medicine in June 1950. At that time he located his clinic to Robstown, from which he conducted an extensive practice over a large area of South Texas for many years.
He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and the Coastal Bend Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Harrel took an active part in youth activities, devoting many years of service to the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show. He was instrumental in founding both the Texas Youth Rodeo Association and Nueces County Youth Rodeo Association, serving as a director for the latter organization for 15 years. He was a member of the original Nueces County Mounted Sheriffs' Posse under Sheriff Johnny Mitchell and was a member of the Robstown Cowboy Polo Team. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association, the American Quarter Horse Association and a founding member of the Appaloosa Horse Association.
A combat veteran of the Eighth Air Force in World War II, he served as a B-17 Flying Fortress tail gunner, participating in many of the most hazardous missions over Nazi Germany, including two raids on the ball bearing factories at Schweinfurt, Germany and six of the first daylight raids on Berlin as well as "Big Week," the period in February 1944 noted as the most violent aerial conflict in history.
Among his awards and decoration are: The American Theater medal, Good Conduct medal, Victory Medal WWII, the European, African, Mid-East Medal with four Bronze Stars, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, the Silver Star Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross, as well as the Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf and the Yugoslav War Cross.
He was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society and 457th Bomb Group Association. He was a charter life member of V.F.W. Post No. 7841 and a charter life member of D.A.V. Chapter No. 212, having served several terms as commander of the latter organization. He was a life member of the Black Thursday 2nd Schweinfurt Memorial Organization and his name is among those inscribed on the Wall of Valor at the 8th Air Force Heritage Center, Savannah, Ga., as well as at the American Air Museum, Duxford, England.
While attending to a severely injured dog in 1953, he met and married Joyce.
Dr. Harrel is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Joyce Harrel; his children, Mike Harrel, Debra Joy Eddy, Terry Harrel and Patricia Dian Simnacher; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandsons.
Graveside funeral services with full military honors were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, March 13, in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Burial followed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, the A.S.P.C.A. or the charity of your choice.
Sawyer-George Funeral Home
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From findagrave.com
Clifton Hale Harrel
Birth: Sep. 9, 1921
Death: Mar. 10, 2009
Inscription:
Silver Star
DFC PH AM
Beloved Husband
Loving Father
Note: SSGT US Army Air Forces, World War II
Burial:
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
San Antonio
Bexar County
Texas, USA
Plot: Section 43 Site 1222
Maintained by: Misty & Company
Originally Created by: International Wargraves ...
Record added: Jul 05, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 72740301
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