Clarence Sasser

Clarence Eugene Sasser (September 2, 1947 – May 13, 2024) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Early life and Vietnam War Born in Chenango, Texas, Sasser briefly attended the University of Houston as a chemistry major, but was forced to drop out due to lack of funds. He was drafted into the United States Army after giving up his college deferment and served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War. Sasser's Vietnam War tour lasted just 51 days. He received the Medal of Honor from President Richard Nixon in 1969 for his actions as a combat field medic on January 10, 1968, in Dinh Tuong Province, South Vietnam.

Civilian life

When his military commitment was finished, Sasser enrolled at Texas A&M University as a chemistry student. Although he did not graduate, he received an honorary doctorate of letters from the university in 2014.

In 1970, Sasser married Ethel Morant. The couple had three sons: Ross, Benjamin and Billy. In 1996, his wife died. His sons Ross and Benjamin also preceded Sasser in death.

At the time of his death, Sasser was one of 61 living Medal of Honor recipients and one of just three living Black recipients.