Herbert W. Clayton

Clayton’s family came from Kearny, New Jersey with a time spent in Closter before they moved to Teaneck in 1929 or so.  They lived at 973 Garrison Avenue. Clayton was working as a brokerage clerk at Peabody,  Kidder in New York when war broke out.  Both he and his twin brother Walter enlisted, the latter in the Air Force.  

Herbert became a tank commander and Staff Sergeant in the 4th Armored Division, 35th Tank Battalion.  The library’s research leads us to conclude that he was killed near Arracourt, France, probably in the battle for Hill 265. There was savage fighting for the city of Nancy. He died on September 27, 1944 while leading his platoon of tanks.

Clayton is buried with family members in Brookside Cemetery in Englewood.

WWII Scrapbook

1. Oct. 9, 1944
2. Oct. 28, 1944

Ancestry.com

1. 1910 United States Federal Census about Herbert W. Clayton
2. 1920 United States Federal Census about Herbert W. Clayton
3. 1930 United States Federal Census about Herbert W. Clayton
4. 1940 United States Federal Census about Herbert W. Clayton
5. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
6. U. S. Headstone Application for Military Veterans, 1925-1963

4th Armored Division

1. The 4th Armored Division in the Encirclement of Nancy - By D. Christopher R. Gabel, April 1986, Page 21-23

National World War II Memorial, Wash., D.C. website

1. War Department Files - S SG Herbert W. Clayton

Find A Grave Website

1. Sgt Herbert W. Clayton

Note:

1. Based on our reading of "The 4th Armored Division in the Encirclement of Nancy" by Christopher R. Gabel and "Patton's Vanguard: The United States Army Fourth Armored Division" by Don M Fox, we believe we can state that Staff Sgt. Clayton died in the fighting near Arracourt, France, probably in the engagements near Hill 265.