Clayton Mansfield

After graduating from West Point in 1928, Clayton Mansfield served in the cavalry as a career military officer. He first served with the cavalry at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he began training for the 1932 modern pentathlon. In 1933 he graduated from the Cavalry School at Fort Riley, but he later turned to tank warfare, studying that at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

In World War II, Mansfield was at first assigned to command the First Battalion, 36th Armored Regiment, Fourth Armored Division at Pine Camp, New York. He was then promoted to Colonel and was assigned to the 92nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 12th Armored Division at Camp Campbell, Kentucky. In August 1944 Mansfield was sent to the European Theatre where he was appointed the Chief of Staff of the 2nd Armored (Hell on Wheels) Division. In December 1944 he was made Regimental Commander of the 66th Armored Regiment. In 9 January 1945, Mansfield was leading the 66th Armored Regiment at the Battle of the Bulge when he was struck by enemy fire. He died a few hours later, shortly after being given a Silver Star on the field for gallantry.