🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: In Memoriam: Honoring the Heroes We Lost in 2022: Clarence Smoyer the "Hero of Cologne:

 🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: In Memoriam: Honoring the Heroes We Lost in 2022: Clarence Smoyer  the "Hero of Cologne:


Please join us in honoring Clarence E. Smoyer of Allentown Pennsylvania who passed away on September 30, 2022 at the age of 99 years old. Clarence left home at the age of 19 to join the US Army.

"Credited with the title "The Hero of Cologne," Smoyer served as a tank gunner with E Company, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored "Spearhead" Division." 

"On March 6, 1945, Clarence and the crew defeated a German Panther Tank in the key Battle of Cologne, during which Clarence is said to have fired the first shot. 

Film footage shows the moment when Smoyer, inside a Sherman tank, aimed at a building and not a German tank to stop their advance, saving the lives of German soldiers on board."

Following the war Clarence returned to Pennsylvania and worked as a Plant Supervisor for Waylite in Bethlehem for 40 years, retiring in 1983.

 Clarence and his wife Melba raise their two daughters and one son in Lehighton Pennsylvania.

According to Legacy Database, "Smoyer received a Purple Heart, French de la Legion d' Honneur, European Middle-Eastern Medal, Army Occupation Medal. 

"Originally, only the Captain and the cameraman capturing the event were awarded the Bronze Star.

 It is reported that Smoyer was seen helping a group of German children cross the street to safety after the fact - which negated him the honor until when in 2019 he received a Bronze Star with Valor at a ceremony in Washington DC. Clarence became well known after his story was told in the bestselling book, "Spearhead" written by Adam Makos and movie by Jim Bates."

“I wear this medal in memory of all the young boys who lost their lives and never got to live out their lives.” – Smoyer said at his Bronze Star Ceremony in 2019.

He is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Buervenich and Patricia Fischer of Allentown, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. 

Clarence Smoyer was interred with full military honors under the direction of the US Army and the Lehighton United Veterans Organization on October 6, 2022 at Lehighton Cemetery in Pennsylvania. Lest We Forget.


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