Our Neighbors in the Service
Correctionville, Iowa—Corporal Clair L. Hatfield, assigned to the administration department of the air corps, has been transferred from St. Petersburg, Florida to the army air base at Lincoln, Nebraska.He is the son of Mrs. Bessie Hatfield here.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, June 10, 1943
BIO
Clair was born 5th November 1920 in Correctionville, the son of Lee and Bessie Hatfield. He graduated 1938 from Correctionville. Clair worked with Council Oak stores and Montgomery Ward & Co. up to the time of the draft.
Inducted 13 October 1942 in Omaha, Neb; entered service 27 October 1942 to Leavenworth, Kansas. Worked at the induction Center in Leavenworth three months. Army Air Corp, then St. Pete, Florida, three months in the IDD Qtrs Office of the basic training center. Then to Lincoln, Nebraska AAB, with the basic training unit for four months at Flight Lt Qtr office, then to the 2nd Air Force Unit in the Officer’s Pay section for the balance of two years where I assigned crews and from there to Foreign Service. Then transferred back to Ft. Leavenworth to the Finance Dept. of the Separation Center.
My bunkmate was a supply Sergeant so we always had plenty of clothes. We went down to the USO in our free time.
Discharged 27 February 1946 and on 1st March 1946 entered employment in the Corn Belt State Bank in Correctionville. Worked up to Executive Vice President and retired on 1 November 1984. Still serving on the Board of Directors of the Bank. We have spent the past sixteen winters in Florence, Arizona and enjoy retirement.
He married Virginia Westfall, in Sergeant Bluff, on 22nd August 1948. Kathy Smith and Lynn Willoughby were born to this couple.
Still contact three friends at Christmas, and I talk with one buddy via Ma Bell at least once a month. I am a member of the American Legion Mumford- Moon Post at Correctionville.
Submitted by Clair Hatfield.
