Wayne Douglas Clements

Specialist Fourth Class Wayne Douglas Clements was born on June 29, 1947 to Ernest and Gloria Clements. He grew up in Camden, New Jersey near the roller skating rink on Mt. Ephraim Avenue. He had two brothers, Ernest Jr. and Franklin, and one sister, Donna. Wayne attended Camden County Vocational School in Pennsauken, NJ.

Wayne Clements enlisted in the US Army and attained the rank of Specialist 4th Class. In October 1965, Clements, a paratrooper, was sent to Vietnam. After one year of service, he was sent home because of malaria and an injured back. After recovering he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was ordered back to Vietnam in response to the North Vietnamese Army’s Tet offensive.

Wayne Clements began his second tour of duty in Vietnam on February 20, 1968. Tragically, he was killed on February 22, 1968 in Quang Tin. His death was classified as NON-HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY ACCIDENTAL HOMICIDE.

Specialist 4th Class Clements’ body was recovered. He was brought home to New Jersey and buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey — Section K, Site 107.

Wayne Douglas Clements is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 40E, Row 59.

The Army is investigating the “accidental shooting” death of a 20-year-old Camden soldier, one of 10,000 Vietnam veterans rushed back to the war zone two weeks ago.

Sp/4 Wayne D. Clements, of 1329 Browning Street, was reported killed last week. He had served a year in Vietnam, and had been sent home because of malaria and an injured back.

His mother, Mrs. Gloria Clements received a telegram Saturday from the Defense Department, stating only that the soldier had been killed. A day or so later an Army officer came to the house, but could only add that the death was by “accidental shooting” and an investigation was under way.

Sp/4 Clements, a paratrooper, attended Camden County Vocational School in Pennsauken. He left school in June, 1965, to enlist in the Army. In October, 1965, he was sent to Vietnam, and returned in October, 1966. On February 15, a family spokesman said, Sp/4 Clements called from Fort Bragg, N.C., saying he was ordered back to Vietnam. He had been due for discharge in June.

He is also survived by two brothers, Ernest, Jr., 25, and Franklin J., 21; and a sister, Donna Marie, 12.

My special hero. The memories of you will always be in my heart. You may be gone but never will be forgotten, God took you away so early in life but you remain in my heart forever.

— Sandra Nordan, a very special friend — January 21, 2009

Miss him.

— Ray Knauer, good friend — July 20, 2001

Wayne was my brother. I will always remember him with love and pride. I love you, Wayne.

— Donna Clements-Burk, sister — May 13, 2003