Clinton Wesley EWEN

Source : Richard Rife & Ellen Marchese

7 April 1923 Shell Big Horn County WYOMING 

Parents: Frank A EWEN & Mary Birmingham EWEN

Siblings : Maxon, Margerite

Source :  Jason Kahne

B 17 N° 44-8015  "Johnny REB"

Macr : 12657 

Mission : Fribourg (Allemagne)

Pilot : Bill Emmett,

Co-pilot: Bill Hoffman,

Navigator: Clinton Ewen,

Togglier: Sgt Warren Holt,

Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Sid Mason,

Radio Operator: George Benedict,

Tail gunner: Dean Clementson (7 Killed in Action);

Ball turret gunner: Jim Moss,

Waist gunner: Francis Adkins,

Radar Op: Bill Lorig (3 Prisoner of War);

 CEMTERY TEMPORARY of  Saint Avold Cemetery, Metz N°3574

Story of Cemetery Temporary 

LORRAINE AMERICAN CEMETERY of Saint Avold

Source :  Fold3

Source :  Fold3 

Source :  Fold3 

Clinton Wesley Ewen

Clinton Wesley Ewen, service number T-133928, was born on 7 April 1923 in Shell, Big Horn, Wyoming. His father was Frank Adams Ewen (1876-1956), a Wisconsin native and farmer. His mother was Mary Birmingham (1891-1970), an Arkansas native and homemaker. Clinton had two half-siblings, Marguerite Ewen (1912-2003) and Frank Maxon Ewen (1914-2003). Clinton was named after his mother’s brother, Reverend W. Clinton Birmingham. 

Clinton grew up in Greybull, Big Horn County, Wyoming. In the mid to late 1920s and 1930s, Greybull, Wyoming, was a vibrant town in Big Horn County, driven by agriculture, ranching, and a significant oil industry presence. Its location along the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad made it an important hub for trade and transportation. Despite the economic challenges of the Great Depression, Greybull maintained a strong sense of community through local businesses, social events, and gatherings. The town's resilience was supported by its local industries, which provided a degree of economic stability during difficult times. 

Growing up with a strong connection to farming, Clinton was involved in 4-H as a young boy. On one occasion, he participated in an exhibition of calves. He excelled athletically, playing varsity football and making a name for himself in the backfield at Greybull High School. During the 1940-41 school year, Clinton attended Central High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he lived with his sister Marguerite and her husband, G. Bruce Reid. 

After attending Central High, Clinton enrolled at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, a private, all-male school known for its college preparatory curriculum and emphasis on leadership development through a military-style education. At St. John’s, his friends affectionately called him “Buck.” He was also a member of the choir. The yearbook noted, “Buck was one of the most happy-go-lucky boys ever to be a member of B Company, but when he set his mind to something, he did it.” 

Source :  Fold3 

On 30 June 1942, Clinton registered for the draft, citing Shell, Big Horn County, Wyoming, as his residence and his father as his employer. He stood five feet ten inches tall, weighed 170 pounds, and had brown hair and hazel eyes. He listed his father as next of kin. 

In 1943, Clinton enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Fort Francis E. Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming, beginning his service with the rank of Private. He completed basic training at Fort Logan, Colorado, and Kearns Field, Utah. Due to his strong skills in mathematics and problem-solving, he was selected for the Flight Officer (FO) program. This program included academic coursework, flight exercises, and military training that prepared him for his role. 

Pvt Ewen progressed through primary and advanced navigation training, which lasted over a year. He learned techniques such as celestial and radio navigation, map reading, and dead reckoning. By December 1944, Pvt Ewen had completed his training at Lincoln Field in Lincoln, Nebraska, and was commissioned as a Flight Officer (FO). He was then ready to join a B-17 Flying Fortress crew as their navigator.  

Source :  Fold3

The B-17 was a four-engine heavy bomber developed by Boeing that was equipped with multiple machine gun turrets and gun positions to defend against enemy aircraft.

It had a wingspan of approximately 103 feet and was powered by four radial engines, giving it the ability to fly long-range missions with a maximum speed of around 287 miles per hour.

The aircraft could carry a substantial payload of bombs, making it a key asset in strategic bombing campaigns over Europe. 

FO Ewen deployed to England in January 1945, assigned to serve with the 731st Bombardment Squadron of the 452nd Bombardment Group (Heavy). During January and February 1945, he flew several successful missions over Germany.

On 22 February 1945, FO Ewen was aboard B-17G “Johnny Reb” (#44-8015) when it departed from England for a bombing mission over Freiburg, Germany. Encountering poor weather conditions, the crew completed their mission and released their bombload. However, the aircraft was struck by enemy flak, causing it to break apart mid-air and crash. FO Ewen, along with six other crew members, perished in the incident. Three surviving crew members were captured and taken as POWs. 

FO Ewen was survived by his parents, Frank and Mary Ewen, and his half-sister and -brother named above. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. A memorial service was held in his honor on 9 August 1945 in Shell, Wyoming.

FO Ewen was laid to rest with full military honors at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot D, Row 42, Grave 9, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. His parents placed a cenotaph in his memory at the Donald J. Ruhl Memorial Cemetery, Greybull, Big Horn County, Wyoming. 

Thank you, Clinton, for your heroic service and sacrifice on behalf of our country.

Donald J Ruhl Memorial Cemetery  Greybull, Big Horn County, WYOMING

Source :  Mary