William Clarence. Lucas, Army Second Lieutenant
Images and notes from the Hanna Basin Museum with contributions from Bob Leathers
Let Us Remember
Army Second Lieutenant William Clarence Lucas
Killed In Action World War II
Lt. Clarence W. Lucas (UPCCEM, Oct. 1944)
Death of Lt. Clarence William Lucas
Mr. And Mrs. Joseph Lucas of Hanna have lost two sons in action within the past year. On August 18 they received word that Lt. Clarence W. Lucas died of wounds on July 14 while serving with the American infantry forces in France. Tech. Sgt. Bernard R. Lucas, whose picture and citations appeared in the June issue of our magazine, was killed on August 1, 1943, while on a bombing mission over the Rumanian oil fields. Lt. Lucas, born at Hanna April 20, 1918, was graduated from the Hanna High School in 1935. He was employed at the Hanna mines from 1935 to 1941, when he entered the University of Wyoming, graduating with honors and his B.A. degree in law. He entered the army on April 6, 1943, and later was commissioned a second lieutenant at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. Before going overseas in April 1944, he was stationed at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. The two brothers are survived by their parents, one brother, Vincent, of Hanna, and three sisters, Eileen, and Mrs. William Hapgood, of Hanna, and Mrs. William Lowe, of Winton, to all of whom goes our deepest sympathy. This nation will long remember these young men who gave their lives in a just cause—one of the noblest sacrifices made by man. From an industrial publication published by the Ohio Oil Company, we reproduce a story of what is happening day by day in American homes, a story sad indeed but poignantly beautiful:
“So, the war will be over by July? …by September? No later than December?"
“For one boy it ended…yesterday."
“A girl will put away his letters and her dreams. A mother will, for the last time, straighten up a room that she was keeping just as it was till he came home. A father will find himself grown older and more tired."
“When this boy fell, part of America fell with him. For he was an American, and the strength of this land is the strength of the people. By each man that falls, we are made poorer. All else we lose can be replaced, but human life…never."
“Who will hesitate to sacrifice while men yet die that you and I may still be free?”
(UPCCEM, October 1944)
Second Lieutenant William C. Lucas, age 27, from Hanna, Wyoming died of wounds received in combat on July 14, 1944, while serving with the 331 INFANTRY, 83rd DIVISION U.S. ARMY in France. William was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lucas. He was born in Hanna April 20, 1918, and graduated from Hanna High School in 1935. He was employed by the Union Pacific Coal Company from 1935 to 1941. He enrolled in the University of Wyoming in 1941 and entered the army on April 6, 1943. William's brother, Sergeant Bernard R. Lucas was killed in action on August 1, 1943, while on a bombing mission over the Romanian oil fields. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas lost both William and Bernard in World War II. William C. Lucas is buried in the Hanna Wyoming Cemetery, in plot 218.
Lucas, William C.
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "Apr. 21, 1917 - Jul. 14, 1944; 2D LT 331 INF WORLD WAR II"
Plot: 218
Born: April 21, 1917 in Hanna, Wyoming
Died: July 14, 1944 in France
Age: 27
Note: Second Lieutenant William C. Lucas, age 27, from Hanna, Wyoming died of wounds received in combat on July 14, 1944, while serving with the 331 INFANTRY, 83rd DIVISION U.S. ARMY in France. William was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lucas. He was born in Hanna April 20, 1918, and graduated from Hanna High School in 1935. He was employed by the Union Pacific Coal Company from 1935 to 1941. He enrolled in the University of Wyoming in 1941 and entered the army on April 6, 1943.
Note: William's brother, Sergeant Bernard R. Lucas was killed in action on August 1, 1943, while on a bombing mission over the Romanian oil fields. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas lost both William and Bernard in World War II.
Note: William C. Lucas is buried in the Hanna Wyoming Cemetery, in plot 218.
Cemetery: Hanna
Headstone: "Apr. 21, 1917 - Jul. 14, 1944; 2D LT 331 INF WORLD WAR II"
Plot: 218
Born: April 21, 1917 in Hanna, Wyoming
Died: July 14, 1944 in France
Age: 27
Note: Second Lieutenant William C. Lucas, age 27, from Hanna, Wyoming died of wounds received in combat on July 14, 1944, while serving with the 331 INFANTRY, 83rd DIVISION U.S. ARMY in France. William was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lucas. He was born in Hanna April 20, 1918, and graduated from Hanna High School in 1935. He was employed by the Union Pacific Coal Company from 1935 to 1941. He enrolled in the University of Wyoming in 1941 and entered the army on April 6, 1943.
Note: William's brother, Sergeant Bernard R. Lucas was killed in action on August 1, 1943, while on a bombing mission over the Romanian oil fields. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas lost both William and Bernard in World War II.
Note: William C. Lucas is buried in the Hanna Wyoming Cemetery, in plot 218.
(Image by Bob Leathers. 2021)