Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame - Master Sgt. Clarence I. Hart

Master Sgt. Clarence I. Hart was born Feb. 14, 1923 in Perry, Kan. He grew-up working on the family farm and going to school until he was forced to take jobs in a fish canning factory and a construction company to help the family after his father's health deteriorated.

On February 1, 1943, Hart was inducted into the U.S. Army to serve during World War II. He was assigned to the 3204th Quartermaster (QM) Service Company and completed his basic training at Indio, California. He was shipped overseas on January 18, 1944 and served with the 3204th QM Svc Co., landing on Omaha Beach, Normandy, D Day + 1, as an amphibious duck and light truck driver. He also served in other Central European Battles. He returned to the United States on December 26, 1945. During this period of service in Europe he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal. EAME Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Service Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead, Distinguished Unit Badge, Croix de Guerre with Palm Order of the Day and Meritorious Unit Award. Private First Class Hart was separated from active duty on January 3, 1946 at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas.

Hart enlisted in Company B, 174th Military Police (MP) Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard as a Corporal on February 2, 1949. He entered active military service with Company B on October 7, 1950 in the grade of Sergeant to serve during the Korean conflict. On June 22, 1951, Hart was transferred to HQ Co. 505th MP Battalion at Camp Roberts, California and later was separated from active duty on May 14, 1952. During the above period he was sent active duty to Camp Desert Rock, Nevada for participation in the atmospheric nuclear test program the United States conducted from 1945 to 1962. Hart witnessed 17 atomic bomb tests. In some of the tests he was in fox holes as close as three miles from the detonation.

From 1953 to 1983, Hart served in a wide variey of positions within the Kansas Army National Guard including supply sergeant and food service supervisor. In 1964, Hart won a recruiting contest and a free trip to Washington, D.C. when he recruited 39 new soldiers. During this period he received many letters of commendation and appreciation from Kansas governors, generals, colonels, and heads of volunteer organizations. He retired from full-time duty on February 14, 1983.

Hart was a very active community volunteer over the years. He provided numerous hours of work for the Salvation Army, the Methodist Church, the Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, the Kansas Neurological Institute, and many others. He was also instrumental in the inauguration ceremonies of Governors William Avery, Robert Bennett and Mike Hayden.

Hart married Wilma Gantz in 1947 and raised three children, Sarah, Shelli and Stanley.





			MASTER SGT. CLARENCE I. HART
	Master Sgt. Clarence I. Hart was born Feb. 14, 1923 in Perry, Kan. He grew-up working on the family farm and going to school until he was forced to take jobs in a fish canning factory and a construction company to help the family after his father's health deteriorated. On February 1, 1943, Hart was inducted into the U.S. Army to serve during World War II. He was assigned to the 3204th Quartermaster (QM) Service Company and completed his basic training at Indio, California. He was shipped overseas on January 18, 1944 and served with the 3204th QM Svc Co., landing on Omaha Beach, Normandy, D Day + 1, as an amphibious duck and light truck driver. He also served in other Central European Battles. He returned to the United States on December 26, 1945. During this period of service in Europe he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal. EAME Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Service Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead, Distinguished Unit Badge, Croix de Guerre with Palm Order of the Day and Meritorious Unit Award. Private First Class Hart was separated from active duty on January 3, 1946 at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas. Hart enlisted in Company B, 174th Military Police (MP) Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard as a Corporal on February 2, 1949. He entered active military service with Company B on October 7, 1950 in the grade of Sergeant to serve during the Korean conflict. On June 22, 1951, Hart was transferred to HQ Co. 505th MP Battalion at Camp Roberts, California and later was separated from active duty on May 14, 1952. During the above period he was sent active duty to Camp Desert Rock, Nevada for participation in the atmospheric nuclear test program the United States conducted from 1945 to 1962. Hart witnessed 17 atomic bomb tests. In some of the tests he was in fox holes as close as three miles from the detonation. From 1953 to 1983, Hart served in a wide variey of positions within the Kansas Army National Guard including supply sergeant and food service supervisor. In 1964, Hart won a recruiting contest and a free trip to Washington, D.C. when he recruited 39 new soldiers. During this period he received many letters of commendation and appreciation from Kansas governors, generals, colonels, and heads of volunteer organizations. He retired from full-time duty on February 14, 1983. Hart was a very active community volunteer over the years. He provided numerous hours of work for the Salvation Army, the Methodist Church, the Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, the Kansas Neurological Institute, and many others. He was also instrumental in the inauguration ceremonies of Governors William Avery, Robert Bennett and Mike Hayden. Hart married Wilma Gantz in 1947 and raised three children, Sarah, Shelli and Stanley.