Colonel Usaf
June 20, 1921 — December 30, 2011
Colonel Leecroy Clifton, USAF (Ret) passed away on December 30, 2011. He was born on June 20, 1921 to Edwin and Susie Clifton in the small city of Westbrook in Mitchell County, Texas. Rita, his wife of 55 years in 2007, predeceased him. He is survived by his son, Kenneth of San Antonio; a daughter, Beth Herren of Big Canoe, GA; sister, Ramelle Parsons of San Angelo; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He attended public school in Westbrook, graduating in 1938 as number three in his class. He participated in most of the athletic programs, lettering in football, basketball and track. While in high school, he was also active in scouting, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. During his first year of school at West Texas State College, Canyon, TX he joined the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard at age eighteen. Shortly after beginning his second year of school, on November 25, 1940 his unit was mobilized and he spent the next 18 months at Camp Bowie, TX and Camp Blanding, FL. Upon reaching age 20, he applied for flight training and was transferred to the Army Air Corps. There was some delay for flight training as the U.S. was involved in WW-2 and there were more applicants than needed at that time. He completed flight training in summer of 1943 and fighter training in the P-39 at Waycross, GA. In January 1944 he sailed in a convoy to North Africa, landing in Oran, Algeria. He then was flown to Naples, Italy where he joined the 347th Fighter Squadron in support of the Anzio Beach Operation. After about a month the squadron and its P-39s returned to its base in Corsica. In July the unit was reequipped with P-47s and moved to Italy. On a dive bombing mission on September 22, his 121st mission, he was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. He managed to evade capture and spent the next five weeks walking back to and through the battle line. He was sent back to the States and became a P-47 Instructor Pilot at Dalhart, TX and Fort Sumner, NM. He was released from active duty in July 1945, but retained his reserve commission. He returned to school, this time, to the University of Texas at Austin and became a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. In December 1947 he was recalled to active duty as a fighter pilot and a year later was given a regular commission and served to retirement in 1975. He flew military aircraft for 28 years, until age 50, and logged close to 6000 hours. He flew 13 different types of fighters, four prop and nine jet, and 17 other trainers, cargo, bomber and helicopters. He had four more overseas tours: two years at the RAF Fighter Weapons School on the Exchange Program: two years as an Operations Advisor to the Chinese Air Force; One year in Vietnam; and three years in the 50th Fighter Wing at Hahn Air Base, Germany. Most of his stateside assignments were related to tactical fighters. He was an instructor in the fighter schools at Nellis and Luke Air Force Bases and later served as Director of Flying in the USAF Fighter Weapons School. He was also a member of the Nellis team that won the Air Force Gunnery Meet in 1956.His higher headquarters experience include two tours at Tactical Air Command, two years in the Tactical Fighter Center and four years as DCS/Operations at Air Force Reserve Headquarters. Decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and a dozen service and campaign medals. He was a member of the Order of Daedalians, Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. After retirement he and his wife lived in Georgia for nine years before moving to Texas in 1984. Visitation will be held at Schertz Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 4th, from 1- 3 pm with the Funeral Service set to begin at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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