Thursday, July 02, 2009
Cliff May
Better late than never. Nearly 60 years after his death in the Korean War, Sergeant First Class Lincoln “Cliff” May received the funeral he deserved in Plainville, Connecticut, at West Cemetery. May, then 22 years old and engaged to be married, was killed in combat in November of 1950 while serving with the First Calvary Division of the United States Army. It was not until 1993 that his unidentified remains were shipped to the U.S. It would be another 15 years before DNA samples taken from his nephew, Clifford Block, allowed Sgt. May to be identified.
Upon the revelation of May’s identity, a military funeral was held to honor his service to the country. There were a number of veterans present, especially from the Korean War, who wanted to pay respects to a man they considered their brother. Members of his family expressed gratitude for the U.S. Army’s efforts that brought them both closure and joy. Although he is survived by three nephews and a niece, he was predeceased by his mother, father, brother, and two sisters, near whom he was buried. His family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Korean Conflict Veterans Association, c/o The American Legion Post #2, 22 Hooker Court, Bristol CT 06010, in order to buy a washer/dryer for the local Veterans Home.
-Jacquelyn Lickness
Family Buries Man Killed Decades Ago In War (WFSB-Hartford)
Sgt Lincoln "Cliff" May (Find A Grave)
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