JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Clifford B. Nash, 80, died Aug. 4, 2011, at Memorial Medical Center. He was born Oct. 4, 1930, in Howland, son of the late Clifford H. and Edith (Burgoyne) Nash.
He was predeceased by sister, Connie Parker; brother-in-law, Dr. William E. Parker; and nephew, William E. Parker II. He is survived by wife, the former Pauline J. Mann of Johnstown, Pa.; nephew, Dr. Robert Nash Parker of Menlo Park, Calif.; and niece, Nancy Reynolds and husband, Terry, of Shreveport, La.
Cliff graduated form Howland High School in June 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army July 21, 1948. After serving for 20 years he retired Oct. 1, 1969. His Army career took him from one side of the globe to the other. He served a total of 14 years in Japan, Korea, Germany and Vietnam, followed by six years as an instructor of infantry tactics at the University of California at Berkeley; Fort Dix, N.J.; and Bowden College, Brunswick. During the Korean War, Cliff served with the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. In Vietnam he served with ALPHA Company, First Battalion, 16th Infantry, First Infantry Division, The Big Red One. His decorations include: the Combat Infantry Badge, second award; the Bronze Star with V for Valor; the Purple Heart; the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, three awards; the Japan Occupation Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the United Nations Service Medal with three Campaign Stars; the Korean Service Medal; the Distinguished Unit Emblem with Oak Leaf Clusters, two awards; the Korean Presidential Unit Emblem; the Vietnam Service Medal; and the Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clip with five LPS. Upon retirement from the Army, Cliff attended the University of Maine, Orono, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education with distinction. He taught at Bangor High School for 20 years and at Howland High School for one year before retiring in 1991. Cliff was a life member of Leveille Shorey Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9429, West Enfield, and a life member of Disabled American Veterans. Because Cliff spent the greater part of his working life in the military, the following is most appropriate: The life of a soldier is a life of sacrifice from beginning to end. He gives his life to train for hard times and to fight to secure the peace for an otherwise troubled world. A soldier gives up his youth, his prime of life, his health, and lastly, if he survives the ordeal of his calling, he gives up his heart. Because the heart is so dependent upon good memories, an old soldier’s memories can be horrific, to give all this up and to continue to live with dignity and grace of mankind, at his best, reveals an extraordinary strength and good character in a man – such a man was Platoon Sgt. Clifford Burgoyne Nash.
The remains will be cremated and buried without fanfare at Grandview Cemetery. Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” Condolences may be made at
www.hindmanfuneralhomes.com.