lest we forget

CLEMENT, NEWTON STEVE

Rank / Branch:

STAFF SERGEANT (POSTHUMOUS), U.S. ARMY

Date Of Birth:

1949-11-09

Country Of Loss:

SOUTH VIETNAM

Status:

BODY RETURNED

Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground:

GROUND

Other:

MARRIED

Unit:

101ST AIRBORNE

Date Of Loss:

1970-06-23

Loss Coordinates:

THUA THIEN

Catagory:

NON-HOSTILE-OTHER ACCIDENT

Awards & Decorations:

SEE BIO

VETERAN HAGI0GRAPHY

CLEMENT, NEWTON STEVE, STAFF SERGEANT, U.S. ARMY, ODESSA, ECTOR, TEXAS

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

COMBAT INFANTRYMAN'S BADGE, SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART, ARMY COMMENDATIONS MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM, VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDALnal Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal

BIOGRAPHY

Newton Steve Clement, or "Steve", as he preferred to be called, was born in Springer, New Mexico. He was the second child of six children born to Newton and Jackie Todd Clement. He had an older brother, Wayne. He had a younger sister, Marilyn Joyce and two younger brothers, Richard and Kenneth. There was an additional male child born who died at birth. The family moved to Odessa and Steve and his siblings attended Odessa schools. Steve attended Cameron Elementary, Crockett Junior High School and Odessa High. According to his brother, Wayne, Steve was a natural athlete. He was ambidextrous and could use both arms and hands equally. While Wayne indicated he went out for all sports, Steve although a better athlete, was not inclined to participate in organized sports. When Steve was a junior, the family moved to Mena, Arkansas where Steve completed high school. He married Margaret McGee of Mena, Arkansas and he was drafted into the Army in February 1969.
He completed basic and AIT training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was a graduate of the NCOOC program at Harmony Church, Fort Benning, Georgia and was promoted to Sergeant upon graduation. He started his tour in Vietnam on October 4, 1969. He was assigned as an squad leader for A Company, 2nd Battalion, 502d Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. On June 20, 1970, his company was in the base camp at Camp Eagle on stand down for two days. After the first day, they received orders that they were going back out to the field on a mission. He and another squad leader, Specialist Dick McBain of Centerville, Ohio were attempting to gather supplies for their platoon. They flipped coins to determine who would get the C-Rations and who would go to the Ammunition's Dump to get ammunition. Sergeant Clement lost the flip and went to get the ammunition. While at the ammo dump, there was a sudden explosion. Sergeant Clement was caught in the event. A medic from his company ran up and pulled him out of the debris while it was still exploding. Sergeant Clement died from his wounds a few days later, on June 23, 1970. According to Dick McBain, the explosion was triggered by a "Cherry" who was playing with a trip flare.
Sergeant Clement was buried with full military honors in the Pine Crest Cemetery in Mena, Arkansas. He received a posthumous promotion to Staff Sergeant and a Army Commendation's Medal. He had previously been awarded a Silver Star for Valor and a purple heart.
His parents remain in Mena, Arkansas and are still active. His brother Wayne, his sister Marilyn and his brother Kenneth all live in the area. His younger brother Richard was killed in a car accident. The status of his wife is unknown.
Events concerning Steve's death were provided by Richard L. McBain, who now lives in Marietta, Georgia in his book "Baby Boomer Memoirs" and from e-mails. (Reproduced with permission).