Clarence Carden
Born 12 November 1917 in Watauga County, North Carolina
Died 25 October 1944 in the aftermath of the Battle off Samar
Buried at Hall Cemetery, Hampton, TN
Served on the USS Johnston (DD-557)
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Stover Carden, Hampton, TN
Featured image is a photo booth snapshot of Carden and his brother [it is unclear who is who]; below are a letter written by Carden to his mother and family roughly nine months before his death and the condolence letter including details of his death written by the senior surviving member of the crew. A fighter until the end, the Johnston sank below the oil-filled, burning surface of the sea. “How anyone could stay afloat as long as he did, I can’t even imagine. In the hell left over from that Herculean fight with Yamato and the Japanese Center Fleet, the survivors waited for rescue. The shark-infested, freezing waters brought his fight to a close… ,” writes the owner of the following website: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234254-my-collection-tribute-to-those-who-fought-and-won-wwii/page-6
- Rank: Coxswain
- Date of birth: 12 November 1917
- Date of death: 25 October 1944
- County: Carter
- Hometown: Hampton
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Johnston (DD-557)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Battle off Samar
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Hall Cemetery, Hampton, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VII, Bottom Panel
- Sponsored by: John B. Romeiser
Image Gallery
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