Memorial Day 2017: Eagan Boy Scouts To Host World War II Vet

EAGAN, MN — Boy Scout Troop 451 of Eagan will host WW II Marine veteran, and Eagle Scout, Maj. Mark Clement, 92, as a guest speaker during the scout’s court of honor celebration on Tuesday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church, in Eagan. Clement will share his memories of landing at Iwo Jima during WW II when he served in the 4th Marine Division, 5th Pioneer Battalion, in honor of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Clement and his twin brother, Joe, joined the Boy Scouts at the age of 12 in 1917, while living in Dallas, Texas.

Both earned the rank of Eagle Scout at 16 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1943 at the age of 17. In September 1944, each was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Mark went to the 4th Marine Division and was in the 8th wave at the landing at Iwo Jima, according to a news release. His brother, Joe, went to the 2nd Marine Division and was at the Okinawa Invasion.

Mark Clement and his Marines were responsible for transporting and replacing ammo, which ran out quickly. His location was a hot spot for artillery fire and transporting ammo was dangerous. On the first day, 40 percent of Clement’s men were lost to Japanese artillery fire. “I love the Corps and have a lot of fond memories. I’ve learned to turn the bad memories into good ones by reminiscing with others at reunions. They understand because they were there,” Clement said in a statement.

Fortunately, Clement and his brother, Joe, survived both WW II and the Korean War, where they were by then captains and served two additional years of active duty in the Marines until their discharge in 1952. Mark left the Marine Corps in 1961 as the rank of major.

Clement graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.S. (1948) and M.S. (1950) in Geology and went to work for Sun Oil in 1952. Clement, resides in Austin, Texas with his wife, Gretchen, and is visiting his daughter’s family for the Memorial holiday, who reside in Inver Grove Heights. His twin brother, Joe, also lives in Texas.

Image via SDASM Archives, Flickr, used under Creative Commons