CLARENCE LEROY HAGEN, JR

Clarence LeRoy Hagen, Jr. gravestone
(Photos by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. June 6, 1925 in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, MN
M. Navy Veteran ” Killed in Action”, Private 1st Class, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, USMCR
D. June 17, 1944 in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

(See section pertaining to the Battle of Saipan – History.com)

(See section pertaining to the “Battle of Saipan – The Final Curtain” by David Moore, P.E. retired Commander USN)

Additional Information:

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Albert Lee City, Albert Lea Township, Freeborn County, MN the household members were:

“Clarence L. Hagen, head, age 37, married at age 22, born in Minnesota, parents born in Norway, occupation: agent – oil bulk plant; Mary Hagen, wife, age 35, married at age 18, born in Denmark, parents born in Denmark, immigrated in 1903; occupation: waitress – café; Palmer C. Hagen, son, age 15, single, born in Minnesota; Chester E. Hagen, son, age 11, single, born in Minnesota; Clarence L. Hagen, son, age 5, single, born in Minnesota”

According to the U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Clarence Leroy Hagen; Place of Residence: 4338 Lawrence Ave, Chicago, Cook County, Ill.; Mailing Address: same; Telephone: Pen8803; Age in Years: 18; Date of Birth: June 6, 1924; Place of Birth: Albert Lea, Minn.; Name and Address of Person who will alway know your address: Mrs. Mary Leinhold, Mother, 4338 Lawrence; Employer’s Name and Address: Uptown Theatre; Place of Employement or Business: Broadway & Lawrence, Chicago, Cook County, Ill.; Race: White; Height: 5′ 11 1/4″; Weight: 138; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light; Other obvious physical characteristics: Birthmark on right arm; Date of registration: 6/27/42”

According to the U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941:

“HAGEN, Clarence L., Pfc, USMCR. Mother, Mrs. Mary Leinhold, 4338 Lawrence Ave., Chicago”

According to the Albert Lea Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, MN) July 17, 1944:

“Another Local Boy Killed In Action
P.F.C. Clarence LeRoy Hagen Meets Death in South Pacific
   Mr. and Mrs. Clarence L. Hagen, 715 South Newton Ave. have received one of those “Regret to Inform You..”
   Telegrams from the war department announcing the death of their son Pfc. Clarence LeRoy Hagen, who was killed in action somehere (sic) in the South Pacific.
   Clarence was 20 years of age.  He was born on Newton Ave. and was a student at Ramsey school before he went to Chicago where he graduated from high school.
   Besides his parents, he leaves two brothers, Palmer and Chester bot (sic) of Chicago.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Friday, February 4, 1949, page 31:

“HAGEN – Pfc. Clarence Leroy Hagen, U.S.M.C., killed at Saipan.  Resting at Strang chapel, Grays Lake, Ill., until services Saturday, at 2 p.m., from Round Lake Community church.  Survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Leinhold, two brothers, Palmer and Chester.  Interment at Fort Hill cemetery.”

According to the Naval-History.net website (https://www.naval-history.net) by Gordon Smith, “World War 2 – United States Navy at War – United States Marine Corps Casualties”:

“HAGEN, Clarence L., Pfc., USMCR. Mother, Mary Leinhold, 4338 Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Ill (na) + HAGEN, Clarence Leroy, 882176, CoK, 3rdBn, 6thMar, 2ndMarDiv, FMF, Marianas Is, June 17, 1944, killed in action (mc)”

According to a website blog “This Ain’t Hell, but you can see it from here” by John Lilya, January 11, 2013 titled “Help me find the family of Clarence L. Hagen”, https://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=33596

   “I’m trying to draft up a response to the neverending Cease and Desist letters we get here at TAH HQ.  I fricken hate lawyers.  When in walks a friend who places a Silver Star and a Purple Heart on my desk, and asks me to find the family.  Screw the lawyer stuff, I’m shifting to the Lord’s work.”
   “The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Clarence L. Hagen (MCSN: 882176), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, SECOND Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan Island, Marianas Islands on 17 June 1944. Courageous and aggressive in the face of terrific fire from Japanese guns, Private First Class Hagen, landing on Saipan with the assault wave, pushed his way forward despite fierce enemy resistance and had advanced several yards beyond the beach when his platoon was pinned down by fire from an enemy machine gun. Voluntarily exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, he succeeded in destroying the Japanese Machine gun and its crew thereby enabling his platoon to reorganize and continue the advance before he was mortally wounded. By his unwavering devotion to duty and determination, Private First Class Hagen contributed materially to the ultimate success of this vital campaign. His exemplary conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Unites States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
General Orders: Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 1508 (February 22, 1945)
Action Date: June 17, 1944
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Private First Class
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 6th Marines
Division: 2d Marine Division
“Clarence L. Hagen was a hero, a Marine, a Minnesotan, and our brother.  And he died June 17, 1944.  But he didn’t die alone.”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: HAGEN; Name: PFC Clarence LeRoy; Birth Date/Place: (blank); Death Date/Place: (no date) Saipan; Cause of Death: Killed in Action in Saipan; 20 yrs of age; Occupation: (blank); Minister – Funeral Home: Chapel; Burial Place – Next of Kin: bur:05 Feb 1948, Fort Hill Cem”