Clarence Lafayette Willis
US Navy
USS Pennsylvania

Information and pictures provided by Carolyn Willis Woodson
Clarence Lafayette Willis was born 26 December 1911 in Steadman, Lexington County, South Carolina. The second son of Clarence Lafayette and Ara Blanche Quattlebaum Willis. He joined the U.S. Army October 9, 1934 and was discharge October 8, 1937 at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina. He was given his pay $36.22 including travel pay to Columbia, South Carolina. He joined the U.S. Navy 21 Dec 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina after spending a little over two months home. He was discharged April 18, 1955 having served over twenty years.

The following in a list of the vessels and stations he served from 1937-1955:

Receiving Station, Norfolk, Virginia

U.S.S. Pennsylvania (BP 38)

U.S.S. Birmingham (CL 62)

U.S.S. Vermilion (AKA 107)

U.S.S. Noble (APA 218)

U.S.S. LST 1153

U.S.S. Massachusetts (BB59)

Receiving Station, Charleston, South Carolina

U.S.S. E-LSM 446

U.S.S. Catamount (LSD 17)

U.S.S. Ellyson (DMS 19)

Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida

Naval Air Station, Barin Field, Foley, Alabama

U.S.S. Liddle (ADA 60)

He received the Purple Heart Award on 12 May 1945, while serving on the U.S.S. Birmingham for wounds received in action against an organized enemy during the Okinawa Campaign on 4 May 1945.

I have very few words from him on the attack on Pearl Harbor. The following are the comments he made. Clarence Lafayette Willis Stated:

"It was a quiet Sunday morning most of the men were off the ship. I was under deck of the Pennsylvania when the explosion began and the "ALL HANDS ON DECK - MAN YOUR STATIONS - THIS IS NOT A DRILL" was sounded. I immediately when topside with buddies in front and behind me. Some of my buddies went to man other guns, I went to 7. Several of my buddies were killed, but by the Grace of God I lived without even a scratch. After the Japs were gone and I looked around and saw the harrow of war; there were bodies of young men floating everywhere. The Pennsylvania had a whole in her deck and there I saw bodies of young marines who hadn't even made it topside. We worked day and night, continuously aware the Japs could return. For days after the attack you could hear men inside of ships, hitting on the hull of the ships for help. It was difficult to get to these men due to limited power. We worked around the clock to get the Pennsylvania ready to return to the states for repairs."

When my daddy talked about Pearl Harbor there was always a sad, lost look in his eyes. He didn't like talking about it. He only talked after much prompting him about the war.  I am very proud of my daddy and all the Americans who have fought to give us freedom and keep us free.