Another hero gone…
I ran across this random obituary and found the name intriguing. But then I actually read the obit, and realized Mr. Clontz was a full-on American hero. Another member of the Greatest Generation marches on.
An excerpt follows:
Vance Sprinkle Clontz (10-16-2009)
Vance Sprinkle Clontz, 84, of High Point, died Monday, October 12, 2009 at High Point Regional Medical Center. Mr. Clontz was a graduate of Morganton High School, Lenoir Rhyne College and the Executive Program of Professional Business Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served 47 years with Drexel Heritage Furnishings, beginning his career with Morganton Furniture Company, completing his career as Vice President of Upholstery Manufacturing Operations. He served as a Director of the High Point Chamber of Commerce from 1994-1996.
Mr. Clontz was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U. S. Army, Third Infantry Division, Company L, Thirtieth Infantry Regiment. During his service in Italy, France and Germany, he earned the EAMET Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Unit Badge and Croix De Guere Order of the Day.