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Colonel<em> Clarke Kent Fales</em> was born on 20 December 1893 in North Tonawanda, New York. He was married on 15 June 1918 to the former Jessie Kingsland. He came from a military family. While his father, Captain Henry Marshall Fales, was stationed at Vancouver Barracks, Clarke, at age 18, became a proficient mountain climber, ascending Mount St. Helens, Hood and Adams.</div>
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Colonel Fales graduated from the United States Military Academy in April 1917. He served in World War I as a captain, 21st United States Infantry. In World War II he commanded the 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division. He and his regiment were transferred temporarily to the 4th Division, where they took part in the assault on Utah Beach, Normandy, on D-Day. He later returned with his regiment to the 90th Division. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 12 June 1944 in the vicinity of Gourbesville, France. “Sensing the great encouragement the men derived from his presence among them, he personally led the assault, utterly disregarding the intense machine gun and mortar fire which rained upon the attacking troops. Inspired by his cool leadership and heroism...the initial resistance was overrun. With the advance suddenly checked by strong defenses, Colonel Fales ordered a bayonet charge, and placing himself at the head of his men, rushed and carried the objective. Thus unhinged, the enemy defense line crumbled. The gallant and inspiring leadership of Colonel Fales was in accordance with high military tradition.” Colonel Fales was also awarded the Bronze Star for Valor with Oak Leaf cluster and the Commendation Ribbon. He participated in three campaigns in Europe.</div>
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He retired as a colonel in 1947 and moved to Mathews County, Virginia, where he and Jessie enjoyed the not-so-peaceful life of gentlemen farmers in a lovely Virginia farmhouse which they remodeled. They were surrounded by chickens, sheep, fields of daffodils, hosts of friends in the summer; they travelled extensively all winter. In 1962 they moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where they planned and built their dream house, which they enjoyed for another twenty years.</div>
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Colonel Fales is survived by his wife, by a daughter, Jean Fales Meenehan, a granddaughter, grandson, two great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter.</div>