Memorial

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Pfc Delbert E. Clegg was born on a farm and graduated from Fayette Consolidated School in 1943 after he went working on a farm, most likely the one of his family.

He enlisted at Camp Dodge, Iowa on 30 March 1944 and was sent overseas in August of the same year.

He was reported wounded in action on 15 January 1945 and hospitalized in Belgium and was in four different hospitals before he recovered and rejoined his unit in February 1945.

On 19 April 1945 his parents received word he had been seriously wounded in action and the message of his death was sent on 14 May 1945.

His brother Donald served on the USS Vinton in the Pacific.

Pfc Clegg was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation cited: For gallantry in action. During an advance against strongly defended enemy positions on 19 April 1945 in the vicinity of Rieder, Germany. Pfc Clegg assumed command of his squad when his squad leader fell seriously wounded. Exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire, he reorganized his squad and maneuvered it around to the flank of a machine gun emplacement. Capturing four prisoners, he then singlehandedly assaulted a second gun position with grenades and neutralized the weapon. He was fatally wounded by small arms fire while returning to his unit. Pfc Clegg's aggressive leadership and courageous actions were in keeping with the high traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Pfc Clegg is memorialized at Grandview Cemetery in Fayette, Fayette County, Iowa with a memorial marker.