Claude Morgan Mills was born at Van Buren, Tennessee, the son of William Riley Mills and Lavina Haston. Husband of Mary Allene Beach and father of Betty Clyde, Mary Anita, Wanda Fay and Claude Morgan Mills Jr.
On November 27, 1941 he enlisted in the Army at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He was Technician 5th grade with the 2nd Armored Division in 1944. The 2nd Armored blunted Operation Lüttich, the German counterattack on Avranches, then raced across France with the rest of the Third Army, reaching the Albert Canal in Belgium on September 8. On September 18 it crossed the German border near Sittard and took up defensive positions near Geilenkirchen. On October 3, the Division, commanded by Major General Harmon, launched an attack on the Siegfried Line from Marienberg, broke through, and crossed the Wurm River.–Information provided by Stories Behind the Stars project
Claude Mills was a member of E Company of the 67th Armored Regiment. His Company wasn’t in action on the November 4th but was in a large tank battle on the 17th. Company E was advancing from their positions in Puffendorf toward Gereonsweiler when they were attacked by a large German tank force that was trying to retake Puffendorf (including the 11th Panzergrenadier Regiment.) They ended up in a 6-hour battle that resulted in massive tank losses to the 67th, but the Germans ultimately retreated.–Information provided by Mr. Derek Hanson
Picture from World War I and II Veterans from Van Buren County
- Rank: Technician Fifth Class
- Date of birth: 4 February 1915
- Date of death: 17 November 1944
- County: Bledsoe
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 2nd Armored Division, 67th Armored Regiment
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Spencer Town Cemetery, Spencer, Van Buren County, Tennessee
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Claude M. Mills
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