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
Collection
Citation
“Clay, Maximillian,” VPI in World War I, accessed April 29, 2024, https://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/items/show/11.
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)