Larson of Rugby, was born at the Larson homestead near Tunbridge, ND on May 16, 1896. He enlisted July 22, 1917, in Company D, 1st Infantry, North Dakota State Militia and went with his regiment to Camp Greene, South Carolina. At this place the North Dakota Militia was sworn into Federal service and Clarence was transferred to Company I, 18th Infantry, which outfit became part of the First Infantry Division (Big Red One) in France. On the 30th day of January, 1918, during a raid upon American trenches Clarence was wounded, from which he died on the 9th day of March, 1918. Blake, in a letter to Clarence's parents, made to following comment, "He was one of the best Soldiers and did his part bravely and I thought the world of your son. I was in command of the platoon that he was in and will say that your son, Private Clarence A. Larson is to be praised for the work he did and is a man and true Soldier." Clarence is currently interned in the American St. Mihiel Cemetery, located at Thiacourt Meurthe-et-Maselle, France. The Rugby American Legion was named in his memory. In the Fall of 1919, a unit of the American Legion was installed in Rugby and being the 23rd so installed in North Dakota and named in honor of Clarence A. Larson Post No 23. McClintock, through whose untiring efforts a Post was started at Rugby, was its first Commander and Clarence M. Oliver was its first Adjutant. During the year of 1921, with the aid of the newly formed American Legion Auxiliary the unit was makings its presents felt as a factor in the interests and welfare of ex-service men. During these years as a direct aftermath of the War, several ex-service men died. The Legion from the outset saw to it that all ex-service men that died received fitting and proper burial. A firing squad and pall bearers in uniform were detailed for every burial.
