BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
The American Legion Post 122 of Prattville is looking for living family members of Clyde Northington, for a special event honoring him in September.
The Post contacted the Old Autauga Historical Society about helping to locate family members. An exact date has not been set, but we will share that information when it is available.
Larry Caver, with the OAHS, is asking anyone with information about living family members, to message him concerning any living siblings, nieces or nephews. He can be reached at email – Larrycaverjr@yahoo.com.
Information about one of Prattville’s Military Heroes:
LCpl William Clyde Northington
BIRTH 26 Sep 1948
Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama, USA
DEATH 4 Mar 1969 (aged 20)
Quảng Trị, Vietnam
BURIAL
Prattville Memorial Gardens
Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama, USA
PLOT 1544
William was the son of Adolphus D. Northington and Mary E. Northington of Prattville AL, and the dear brother of Lois A. Willis also of Prattville AL. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps on November 13, 1967 in Montgomery AL and arrived in Vietnam on April 27, 1968 where he was assigned for duty with Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
On March 4, 1969 during Operation DEWEY CANYON Company A with attached personnel were approximately two kilometers north of Route 922 near Laos and north east of Lang Ho in the Trieu Phong District of Quang Tri Province when they were fired at by NVA snipers. Two Marines who were on the point of the patrol fell instantly close to the NVA position. The snipers were hidden in trees. 60mm mortars, and M-79 grenades were used to clear the enemy from their positions prior to recovering the casualties. During the engagement four men were killed in the action and several were wounded. One of the casualties was LCpl Northington who suffered fragmentation wounds to his body.
* LCpl William C. Northington was presented with the SILVER STAR Medal posthumously “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action.”
(Source: Findagrave.com)
