Published October 07. 2022 02:45PM
A Committal Service was held Thursday afternoon at the Lehighton Cemetery with full military honors under the direction of the U.S. Army and the Lehighton United Veterans Organization for U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, Clarence Smoyer, who died Sept. 30 at the age of 99. He served from 1943-45 as a tank gunner with the 3rd Armored Division, 32nd Regiment. On March 6, 1945, Smoyer and the tank crew defeated a German Panther Tank in the key battle of Cologne, and became known as the “Hero of Cologne,” and received a Purple Heart, French Medialle de la Legion d’ Honnear, European Middle-Eastern Medal, Army Occupation Medal and in 2019 he received a Bronze Star with Valor at a ceremony in Washington D.C. A funeral service was held earlier in the day at Schaeffer Funeral Home. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS
A Committal Service was held Thursday afternoon at the Lehighton Cemetery with full military honors under the direction of the U.S. Army and the Lehighton United Veterans Organization for U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, Clarence Smoyer, who died Sept. 30 at the age of 99. He served from 1943-45 as a tank gunner with the 3rd Armored Division, 32nd Regiment. On March 6, 1945, Smoyer and the tank crew defeated a German Panther Tank in the key battle of Cologne, and became known as the “Hero of Cologne,” and received a Purple Heart, French Medialle de la Legion d' Honnear, European Middle-Eastern Medal, Army Occupation Medal and in 2019 he received a Bronze Star with Valor at a ceremony in Washington D.C. A funeral service was held earlier in the day at Schaeffer Funeral Home. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS
A flag folding and presentation ceremony is held Thursday afternoon at the Lehighton Cemetery at the service for U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, Clarence Smoyer, who died Sept. 30 at age 99. Smoyer served from 1943-45 as a tank gunner with the 3rd Armored Division, 32nd Regiment. On March 6, 1945, Smoyer and the tank crew defeated a German Panther Tank in the key battle of Cologne, and became known as the “Hero of Cologne,” and received a Purple Heart, French Medialle de la Legion d' Honnear, European Middle-Eastern Medal, Army Occupation Medal and in 2019 he received a Bronze Star with Valor at a ceremony in Washington D.C. A funeral service was held earlier in the day at Schaeffer Funeral Home. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS