Date of Birth: 2/6/1950
Tour began: 2/12/70
Date of Casualty: 4/9/1970
Age at time of death: 20
Race: Negro
Religion: Methodist
Marital Status: Single
Home of Record: RICHMOND TX
Branch of Service: ARMY
Rank: CPL E-4
Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM
Casualty Province: THUA THIEN
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Herman is honored on Panel 12W, Row 112 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
"Herman Allen Clay was a very nice person. Everyone that got to know him, liked him. He saved our lives while pulling
security for Blachly's squad that had been shot to pieces at first light. Clay shot the NVA that shot him. They killed
each other instantaneously. Thomas Gates was shot that day; was a quadriplegic until he was 48 years old. His family
petitioned and got his name put on the Wall. A new guy, James Mace was also killed that day. Herman saved our lives, but it
cost him his. Herman, I will always remember you as the person that saved my life and the life of those around me."
~John Marks
"I was in the squad that John (Doc) Marks was talking about. This was in the Ashau Valley. Did not know this grunt all that
well but he was a good combat soldier. Everyone in the squad had been hit; he gave his life to protect us all."
~From a former grunt, Lenard Blachly
If you have photos or memories of Herman that you would like posted on this page,
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