Clifford Adelbert Winkler was born 29 Dec 1924 in McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Frederick “Fred” W Winkler Sr (1896-1975) and Edithe M Winkler (1896-1961). From 1930 thru 1940, the family with 3 sons (Fred Jr, Clifford, Donald) was living in McKeesport. Fred Sr was a working in a tin mill. Clifford attended McKeesport High School.

On 17 Dec 1942, Clifford enlisted into the Marines. He went overseas in Mar 1943 and served with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

Clifford was killed in action on 20 Nov 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. He is memorialized on the Honolulu Memorial in Hawaii.

Private Clifford Adelbert Winkler, we thank you for your dedication, service and sacrifice for our country. You are not forgotten.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org/). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.

If you have any details, photos, or corrections for this story, please email me by clicking on the words “Added by:” at the bottom of this story.

Kathy Harmon- Contributing Author, Stories Behind the Stars

SBTS Project/Pennsylvania/Allegheny

Sources –

Jan 08, 1944, page 2 - The Pittsburgh Press at Newspapers.com

1930 United States Federal Census - Ancestry.com

1940 United States Federal Census - Ancestry.com