The Boys of Normandy 65 Years Later
5th June 2009
I love Clif, my father-in-law, for two reasons. First, he and his sweet wife, Clair, gave me their daughter Melanie, the light of my life. And, second, he fought in Patton’s army during World War II. Clif served as a tank commander in the 712th Tank Destroyer Battalion and fought from Normandy through Operation Cobra to the Battle of the Bulge, the race across the Rhine, then to V-E Day. Then he shipped back to the US and was preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war finally ended. Let me share some images from his service.
These maps show the movement of his Battalion from landing at Utah Beach to the fight at Falaise Gap, to Paris, then Bastogne, southern Germany across the Rhine, then finally into Czechoslovakia where they liberated death camps.
He did have some time off with a shot in Paris.
And, his son, Phil, my brother-in-law, gave this homage to his father during Phil’s trip to Paris many years later.
Clif did have a chance for a beer now and then . . .
. . . and an occasional time out from fighting.
We can forget that people much like ourselves risked their lives, faced daunting challenges, and came home to be just folks. Especially when we see the old boys and girls who did their best back then, we can easily forget what they did. We shouldn’t. We should remember and thank them.
I appreciate the service that Sergeant Clifton Booth gave to our country in 1944-45, the risks he took, the pain and loss he suffered, and the beautiful family he and Clair made. He’s a good man and I am proud to know him.
This photo is from the wedding of Clif’s first grandson, Clifton, to his wife, Julie, in 2006 on the gardens of the campus at Michigan State University. Clif Booth is seated in the center, backed by his loving family, from left to right, Steve Booth-Butterfield, Melanie Booth-Butterfield, Clair Booth, Cheri Booth, and Phil Booth.
Thanks, Clif, for Melanie and for your service to our country.