Korean War United States Army Officer. His heroic actions during the Korean War were chronicled in S.L.A. Marshall's best selling book "Pork Chop Hill: The American Fighting Men In Action" (1956). This was the basis for the 1959 motion picture "Pork Chop Hill" (1959), of which Gregory Peck portrayed Clemons. Raised in West Plant, Florida and later Baltimore, his father was a railroad worker, Joseph enlisted with the United States Army at the age of seventeen and eventually received entry into West Point. Following graduation in 1951, he was sent to Korea and experienced close combat which earned him a Distinguished Service Cross. In April 1953, while a first lieutenant and platoon leader of Company K, he and his group following a lengthy barrage which killed many American soldiers prevailed in capturing Hill 255. Reinforcements eventually came which included Clemons brother-in-law First Lieutenant Walter B. Russell, Jr. The battle is considered one of if not the bloodiest of the Korean conflict. He received a Silver Star for his actions. During the Vietnam War, Clemons earned a Bronze Star for his directing of a helicopter which provided medical supplies, in addition to rescuing a unit under heavy fire. He retired from the Army in 1977 (with the rank of colonel) and went on to serve as a senior warden for his Episcopal church.
Korean War United States Army Officer. His heroic actions during the Korean War were chronicled in S.L.A. Marshall's best selling book "Pork Chop Hill: The American Fighting Men In Action" (1956). This was the basis for the 1959 motion picture "Pork Chop Hill" (1959), of which Gregory Peck portrayed Clemons. Raised in West Plant, Florida and later Baltimore, his father was a railroad worker, Joseph enlisted with the United States Army at the age of seventeen and eventually received entry into West Point. Following graduation in 1951, he was sent to Korea and experienced close combat which earned him a Distinguished Service Cross. In April 1953, while a first lieutenant and platoon leader of Company K, he and his group following a lengthy barrage which killed many American soldiers prevailed in capturing Hill 255. Reinforcements eventually came which included Clemons brother-in-law First Lieutenant Walter B. Russell, Jr. The battle is considered one of if not the bloodiest of the Korean conflict. He received a Silver Star for his actions. During the Vietnam War, Clemons earned a Bronze Star for his directing of a helicopter which provided medical supplies, in addition to rescuing a unit under heavy fire. He retired from the Army in 1977 (with the rank of colonel) and went on to serve as a senior warden for his Episcopal church.
Bio by: C.S.
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