William T. Clement

William Tardy Clement
William Tardy Clement
	3rd Marine Brigade
Battles/wars	Haitian Campaign; World War I; Yangtze Patrol; World War II Philippines Campaign; Battle of Okinawa; Navy Cross; Legion of Merit (3); Bronze Star Medal

William Tardy Clement (September 27, 1894 – October 17, 1955) was a highly decorated general of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general during World War II. He is most noted as commanding general of Fleet Landing Force that would make the first landing on the Japanese home islands following the nation's unconditional surrender.

Biography

Clement was born in

2nd Marine Regiment

and its operations against rebel bandits.

Upon his return to the United States in 1919, he reported for duty at Marine Barracks,

5th Marines

.

The outbreak of World War II found Clement serving on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief,

Navy Cross

.

Following tours in

Yokosuka on 30 August, was a memorable event in Clement's life and career—command of the Fleet Landing Force that would make the first landing on the Japanese

home islands following the nation's unconditional surrender.

Less than two months after the Yokosuka landing, he rejoined the division in Northern

3rd Marine Brigade

, Clement became commanding general and in June 1946 was named commanding general, Marine Forces, Tsingtao Area.

Returning to the United States in September, he was appointed president, Naval Retiring Board, and then director,

Marine Corps Reserve. In September 1949, he assumed command of Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, holding that post until his retirement in 1952. Lieutenant General Clement died in 1955.^[1]

Awards & honors

Clement is the recipient of the following awards:

1st Row	Navy Cross
2nd Row	"V" Device and two 5⁄16" Gold Stars	Bronze Star Medal	Navy Presidential Unit Citation with two stars	Army Presidential Unit Citation with Oak leaf cluster
3rd Row	Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with two service stars	World War I Victory Medal with West Indies Clasp	Haitian Campaign Medal	Yangtze Service Medal
4th Row	China Service Medal	American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service Clasp	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three 3/16 inch bronze service stars	American Campaign Medal
5th Row	European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal	World War II Victory Medal	Navy Occupation Service Medal	National Defense Service Medal
6th Row	Philippine Defense Medal with one star	Order of the Cloud and Banner, Fourth Grade	Order of the Sacred Tripod, Fourth Grade	Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords, Commander

References

NPS biography of William Clement

Notes

^ "Burial detail: Clement, William Tardy". ANC Explorer. Retrieved February 7, 2023.

[1] "Burial detail: Clement, William Tardy". ANC Explorer. Retrieved February 7, 2023.

[1]