Clifford David Younger
SGT in 603rd Engineer Camouflage Bn : Co B, HQ Platoon
ASN#33057720
Born 1915 in PA, Died 1985
County of residence at enlistment: Lehigh County, PA
Other residence(s): Catasauqua, PA
United States Army, European Theatre of Operations
Occupation before the war: carpenters
Clifford Younger was born on February 22, 1915 in Catasauqua, PA, a suburb of Allentown. He was the younger of two sons born to Pennsylvania residents for several generations; his father was a building contractor/carpenter.
Clifford (known in high school as "Clip") graduated from Catasauqua High School in 1932. He was an active participant in several organizations—football manager, president of the Junior Mechanics Club, and a member of the science club, as well as playing intramural basketball, football, and baseball, running track, and serving as a member of the stage crew.
After graduation, Clifford went to work as a carpenter with his father. He registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, and married Mabel E. Faix on January 24, 1942. Less than four months later, on May 6, 1942 he enlisted. He eventually found himself in the 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion, working as a carpenter, and served in Europe with the unit.
He was discharged on October 29, 1945 and returned to Catasauqua, where he and Mabel had three children before 1950 (Lee Ann, Gary, and James). He worked initially as a self-employed contractor. Later he ran a saw sharpening service, and then worked as a foreman at GAF Corporation, a nationwide flooring manufacturer with a plant in nearby Whitehall Township. (GAF was sold to Tarkett, Inc. in 1981.)
Clifford was an active member of the Catasauqua Phoenix Fire Co. where he had served as chief engineer before his enlistment in the Army, and eventually became assistant fire chief. He was a deacon at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and also served in Scouting. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating. and spending time at the family summer home near White Haven, PA.
He died on October 11, 1985 and is buried at Cedar Hill Memorial Park in Allentown, PA.
Photo:
(see yearbook, 1932, below)
Sources:
1920 census
1930 census
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/52664957:6224?ssrc=pt&tid=59050598&pid=46043943678
1931 high school yearbook (as junior)
1932 high school yearbook
1940 census
1940 draft card
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/8180043:2238?ssrc=pt&tid=59050598&pid=46043943678
1942 marriage record
1942 enlistment record
1942 article in The Morning Call (Allentown PA) re his enlistment and his having served as a church deacon
https://www.newspapers.com/image/275287142/?terms=clifford%20d.%20younger&match=1
1943 article in The Morning Call (Allentown PA) re his military service
https://www.newspapers.com/image/275288524/?terms=clifford%20d.%20younger&match=1
1945 article in The Morning Call (Allentown PA) re his military service
https://www.newspapers.com/image/275094592/?terms=clifford%20d.%20younger&match=1
1945 article in The Morning Call (Allentown PA) re his military service
https://www.newspapers.com/image/275154924/?terms=clifford%20d.%20younger&match=1
1950 Pennsylvania US Veterans' Compensation Files WW2
1981 US Public Records Index
1985 Find a Grave record
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225033666/clifford-d.-younger
1985 VA death record
1985 obituary in The Morning Call (Allentown PA)
1985 Pennsylvania Veteran's Burial Card
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/451583:1967?ssrc=pt&tid=59050598&pid=46043943678
2022 (February 21) GALP Veteran Biography Worksheet from son Gary Younger