Claudie C. Gilmer
Private First Class
Company J 130th Infantry
United States Army
1942- 1945

Purple Heart

Killed in Action

      Claudie Chester (Pete) Gilmer was born 25 May 1922 at Woodland, Mississippi, the son of Claudie Aculas and Bessie Elizabeth Clark Gilmer. He had one brother, James Dorathan (Doc), and one sister, Rozell Ann. He attended school at Woodland, Mississippi and graduated from Parkin High School in 1940. The family moved to Arkansas when he was 11 years old. Claudie farmed prior to entering the military. His hobbies were fishing, hunting and playing baseball. He was a member of a community baseball team that played other communities.
    Claudie enlisted in the U.S. Army 20 October 1942 and had his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was assigned to the South Pacific and while on a scouting mission in a three man team sent ahead of the troops, Claudie was the outside man where the Japanese were entrenched. His lower face was shot away along with his left arm and right leg. Claudie was Killed in Action on Luzon in the Philippines 20 February 1945.
    His family was informed that he earned the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Purple Heart, the World War II Service Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal.
    Claudie C. Gilmer was buried in Cogbill Cemetery, Wynne, Arkansas and his tombstone reads:

 Claudie C. Gilmer

Arkansas

PFC 130 Inf

World War II

May25, 1922        February 20, 1945

  > Claudie C. Gilmer
Arkansas
PFC 130 Inf
World War II
May 25, 1922 February 20, 1945