Clarence Ellsworth Kantz

SERGEANT CLARENCE E. KANTZ was born in Clearfield County PA on December 14, 1894 to George A. and Merita "Minnnie" Kantz. His father was farming in 1900, however, the family would come to Camden NJ.  When Clarence Kantz registered for the draft in June of 1917 he was working as a telephone operator at Broad Street Station in Philadelphia PA. He lived with his mother Merita "Minnnie" Kantz and brother Carl at 420 South 2nd Street in Camden NJ.

Clarence Kantz was drafted and sent to Camp Dix NJ on September 8, 1917. He eventually was promoted to Sergeant. According to the book Camden County in the Great War , Clarence Kantz went to France on April 13, 1918 as a member of Company E, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division. He later served with Company K of the 311th Infantry Regiment.

Sergeant Kantz was killed in action in the Argonne Forest near Grand Pre, France on October 26, 1918. He was cited for bravery and award the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously by General John J. Pershing.

Distinguished Service Cross Citiation

KANTZ, CLARENCE E.
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company K, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 26, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clarence E. Kantz, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Grand Pre, France, October 26, 1918. During an enemy counterattack, Sergeant Kantz by his foresight saved the company on the right of his platoon by reinforcing that company's flank. This action stopped the advance of several machine gunners who were advancing through our lines at that point, but cost Sergeant Kantz his life.
General Orders No. 20, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Camden, NJ