Emerald Clement was born on February 17, 1918 to Claude and Fern Clement.

He was twenty-three years old when he reported for duty at Fort Crook in Bellevue on June 27, 1941. He was the oldest son in a family of eight children and was farming with his father near Farnam at the time of his induction.

Staff Sergeant Clement was killed in action in France on July 26, 1944. His remains were returned to the United States in 1948 and buried at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery.

Survivors include his parents; seven sisters: Ora, Liona, Eva, Clara, Dorothy, Deloris, and Peg; and one brother, Wayne.

See 2007 Memorial Day Address: Duty, Honor, Country