More detail on this person: Archie J Clapp, 80 of Norfolk ARCHIE J. CLAPP Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Monday, May 17, 2004 VIRGINIA BEACH Archie J. Clapp, 80, of the 1100 block of Vera Cruz Court, died May 15 at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk. Born on Aug. 30, 1923, in Greensboro, N. C., he was raised in Miami, Fla. He retired as a colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1969 after a distinguished career. Clapp served as a carrier-based fighter pilot during World War II. In 1949, he trained as one of the earliest Marine jet fighter pilots. He also became one of the initial Marine helicopter pilots in 1951, and, following his service in the Korean War, he engaged in development work for the emerging helicopter component of Marine Corps aviation. Clapp commanded HMM-362, the first Marine helicopter squadron in Vietnam, and a group which came to be known as "Archies Angels." Besides receiving unit commendations and campaign medals for his service in three wars, he was individually awarded the Legion of Merit twice, the Distinguished Flying Cross three times and nine Air Medals. Clapp held a number of command and staff billets during his Marine Corps career, the last being on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon. After his retirement from the military, Clapp served on the staff of the American Ordnance Association (later renamed the American Defense Preparedness Association) for six years and as CEO of the Wholesale Florists and Florist Suppliers of America (WF&FSA) for 23 years. While with WF&FSA, he was also the United States delegate to Union Fleurs, the Europe-based association of the national wholesale floral organizations. Upon his retirement from the floral industry, he relocated to Virginia Beach. He remained active in Marine aviation organizations and was recently inducted into "The Golden Eagles" of The Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators Association. Clapp is survived by wife Shirley B. Clapp; sister Mary Harvey of Miami, Florida; four children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild by his previous marriage; two stepdaughters and their families; predeceased by two children from his previous marriage. A funeral will be held at Smith and Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery is planned. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program or the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue Squad in Virginia Beach.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 08/24/2017
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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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