LEE, Cliford, service number 186478, Private, Company H, 128^th Infantry. Born Allens Creek, Tennessee and was 21 years old at enlistment and a farmer. Enlisted 2 Oct 1917, Waynesboro, TN. Described with brown eyes, light hair, fair complexion and was five feet, 10 inches in height. Discharged at Camp Zachary Taylor, KY on the 28^th of February 1919. Was a member of the American Expeditionary Force from 6 April 1918 until 23 Nov 1918, having served in the Chateau Thierry Campaign.

Cliford LEE was the son of Henry and Martha Jane CREECY LEE. He was born December 29, 1895 at Allens Creek in Wayne County, TN. He had four brothers: Cullie, Homer, Hobert and Arthur; two sisters: Delia and Ida; and a foster sister, Artie KEETON. He was farmer and was married to Rosie RAY. They were expecting their first child when he received his call to go to the army. He was inducted on October 2, 1917 at the age of 21.

On April 6, 1918, Cliford entered the trench warfare in France at Chateau Thierry as a member of the A. E. F. He was engaged there until November 23, 1918. During this time, he suffered almost unbelievable hardships and dangers. He was reluctant to discuss this time, especially before his children. He said it was too awful to recall. But occasionally he did describe some of the events. One of his daughters and a cousin listened in as much as they could. Some of these accounts recalled follow.

At one time, he spent six weeks in a trench without changing clothes. His socks were stuck to his feet. The trenches would fill with water and human waste. Dead bodies could not be removed immediately and the odor was strangling at time. Once, after firing had stopped and it was quiet, his buddy decided to peep out of the trench and he was shot immediately. His body could not be removed for four days. Cliford helmet was grazed. Trucks would unload food, which was hard tack or black biscuits, on the ground. The soldiers would have to wait for a time to go to the pile, and many times they were molded. They were so hard that Cliford front teeth were worn off from gnawing on them. As they had a chance, they would wade through the dead bodies, removing their identification tags and driving them between the teeth so as many of the bodies as possible could be identified later.

Poison gas was introduced during the time Cliford was over there and he was gassed. When he returned his hair was soon white and he suffered a type of seizure as a result for the rest of his life.

After peace was signed, he was sent back to Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky where he was honorably discharged on February 28, 1919, receiving a bonus of $60. His discharge states this his character was excellent.

He returned to his family in Wayne County, where his baby son, Clyde, who was born soon after he left, was afraid of him for a time. He and Rosie settled down on Fishtrap to a life of farming and raising a family of thirteen children. There were five boys, Clyde, Barney Ray, James Edward, Marshall and Frank; and eight girls, Lillie Mae, Bertha, Mamie, Kathryn, Dello, Rachel, Pauline and Mattie Marie. As of today, November 29, 1990, only seven survive. They are Bertha, Mamie, Kathryn, Dello, Rachel, Mattie Marie and Frank.

Cliford died on April 1, 1892 at the age of eighty-six and was buried at Fishtrap Cemetery. Rosie died on March 7, 1989 and was buried beside him.