Clay, Maximillian

Title

Clay, Maximillian

Last Name

Clay

First and Middle Name

Maximillian

Biographical Text

Maximillian Clay was born in the town of Brookneal, Virginia, on February 13, 1895. He was described as earnest, quiet and reserved, but sincere in friendship. He graduated in the class of 1916, going on to serve as Corporal, promoted to sergeant, in the Tennessee National Guard. He remained in service after the war, eventually reaching the rank of Colonel before being killed in action on July 14, 1953. He was married to Lucille W Clay, and together they had one daughter named Virginia Clay.

Nicknames or Other Names

Max

Hometown

Brookneal, Virginia

County and/or State

Campbell

Birth Date

February 13, 1895

Birthplace

Virginia

Death Date

July 14, 1953

Cause of Death

Killed in action

Place of Death

Unknown (presumably Korea)

Parents

Joel H. Clay
Lizzie Clay

Siblings

None

Spouse(s)

Lucille W Clay

Children

Virginia Clay

VPI Graduating Class

1916

Undergraduate Major

Electrical Engineering

Graduated

Yes

Service Branch

Army

Unit

Tennessee National Guard

Rank

Corporal, promoted to Sergeant

Retired Rank

Colonel

Military Events

Participated in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

Decorations or Citations

Unknown

Postwar Life

Maximillian Clay continued to serve in the military until his death in 1953.

Occupation

United States Army Officer

Contributing Researchers

Jason Steven Pixley

Bibliography

Ancestry.com, Census of 1910, Census of 1930, Census of 1940

Files

Maximilian Clay senior portrait from the 1916 Bugle.jpg
Maximilian Clay picture from the 1916 Bugle.jpg
Maximilian Clay from the 1916 Bugle.jpg

Collection

Citation

“Clay, Maximillian,” VPI in World War I, accessed November 21, 2024, https://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/items/show/11.

Output Formats

Comments (if you have information about a veteran or would like to talk about a veteran, also email the project director Daniel Newcomb at danieln1@vt.edu with your information or question)

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