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Clifford E Pinney

War: World War II
Parent/Wife: Roy
City: Pittsville
Birth Date: 26 May 1922
Death Date: 12 Apr 1945
How Died: Kia
Where Died: Luzon
Where Buried: Mound Cemetery, Pittsville
Rank: Sgt
Branch: Army

Kia=Killed in Action
Dow=Died of Wounds
Dod=Died of Disease
Mia=Missing in Action

Stories

Clifford E. Pinney

Clifford E. Pinney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Pinney, was born in Pittsville on May 26, 1922. The Pinney family lived in a home on County Trunk T, which later became Highway 13. The home was just north of the town line for the townships of Richfield and Wood. Since the younger Pinney children attended Three Oaks School, which was about one and three-fourths miles from their home, we can presume that Clifford attended there, also. Clifford attended Marshfield High School and later was employed by Consolidated Water Power and Paper Company.

Clifford entered the army on December 23, 1942. He trained at Fort Lewis, Washington, and Los Angeles Desert Training Center before going to Hawaii in July 1943. He served with Company B, 130th Infantry.

Clifford died of wounds received in action on April 12, 1945, in the vicinity of Galiano, Philippine Islands. Clifford and his company were suddenly fired upon by enemy machine guns while en route to a bivouac area. Caught in open ground, the troops dispersed. Clifford quickly led seven men to safety. While returning with his men, he was seriously wounded. Unable to move, he told his men how to reach their company. Leaving him in a safe place, his men found the company and returned shortly thereafter to evacuate him. “Due to intense fire, the company elected to join the friendly troops on a nearby hill. Being one of four litter cases and seeing that men carrying him were exhausted and endangering their lives, Clifford pleaded with them to drop him on the trail. They would not. Clifford died before reaching the top of the hill.”

A War Department telegram was delivered on a Tuesday night in late April informing the Pinneys of their son’s death. Later, they received a communication from a Representative of the War Department announcing that the Silver Medal had been posthumously awarded to their son. The citation read, “I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of the President, the Silver Star was awarded to your son, Sgt. Clifford E. Pinney, for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Galiano, Mount Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands.” It was said “Sgt. Pinney’s gallant acts reflected great credit upon the military services.”

The reburial services for Clifford, 22, were conducted at the Hansen Funeral Home in Marshfield. Interment was in Mound Cemetery, Pittsville. The American Legion was in charge of military rites at the cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Pinney were presented with a Gold Star Citation in memory of Clifford by Legion Post No. 54 in Marshfield.

Surviving besides his parents were five sisters, Mrs. Ray (Aileen) Zieher, Mrs. Paul (Irene) Zabel, Mrs. Leonard (Lucille) Bolster, Mrs. James (Bertha-Buryle) Upton, Mrs. Orren (Helen) Shoemaker; and three brothers, Robert R. Pinney, Floyd Pinney, and Lorren (Mike) Pinney.

An article in the Marshfield News Herald prior to Clifford’s death called the Pinney family of Pittsville “A Family of Fighters.” At the time, they had three sons and a son-in-law in the service. Robert Pinney, Seaman 2nd Class, was at Great Lakes Naval Training Hospital. Floyd Pinney was with the Army Amphibious Training Infantry Unit. The son-in-law, James Upton, was a Coxswain in the Seabees. Clifford was in Hawaii with an infantry unit.

The Pinney Homestead, with a new house, now has a third generation owner. To the southeast of the home is a barn. The old neighbors tell us that this barn was built in Clifford’s memory. There was some discussion about building this barn and how it was to be built before Clifford went into service. Since it stands tall, we can presume it was built the right way.

Written by: Jean (Kiesling) Fritz, Lowell Senior Center Writers

References: Heart O’ Wisconsin Genealogy Society; Charlene (Pinney) Irwin and Vergie (Zabel) Gillette, Nieces of Clifford Pinney

 


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