VW-Obit-CLAWSON, William - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Friday, 11 October 1968 Mr. and Mrs. William W. Clawson of Rt. 1, Linden have received the military awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, given posthumously to their son, William K. Clawson, who was killed Dec. 14, 1967 in Vietnam. Warrent Officer Clawson, an Army helicopter pilot, died when his aircraft crashed near Phan Thieu when the rotor transmission apparently failed, carrying the entire crew to their deaths. WO Clawson had flown more than 50 assault missions during the week of Dec. 7-14 when his helicopter went down. Because of his voluntary and exceptionally valorous actions he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. WO Clawson had also been awarded the Air Medal, an Oak Leaf Cluster and a Purple Heart. He was a member of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company and had received his silver wings as a warrant officer Oct. 24, 1967 upon his graduation from the Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Ala.