Clark V. Worrell

Clark V. Worrell

Clark V. Worrell was a lieutenant in the 33rd Armored Regiment of the 3rd Armored Division. In December 1944, during the German offensive in the Ardennes, he led the reconnaissance platoon of Task Force Hogan. As a child of the village, he saw with his own eyes the encirclement of Task Force Hogan, the snow, the American soldiers in the houses, and the sky crossed by parachutes during the airdrop of 23 December 1944.

His role was essential: opening the route, identifying threats and guiding the unit through an environment that had become extremely dangerous. More than once, his ability to read the terrain and anticipate danger helped avert disaster.

During operations around La Roche-en-Ardenne, Worrell identified enemy soldiers disguised as Americans. Understanding the danger immediately, he sounded the alarm and ordered the group to turn back. Moments later, enemy fire erupted. That decision likely prevented an ambush that could have cost the lives of several Task Force officers. The next day he joined a patrol with Lieutenant Colonel Hogan and Major Travis Brown to reach higher command. On the road they again encountered enemy troops. Under fire, the men abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot. In the confusion, Worrell became isolated with Major Brown behind German lines.

For several days they wandered through the snowy Ardennes. Without supplies, they narrowly evaded enemy patrols, hid in the woods, crossed occupied areas and survived under extreme conditions of cold and exhaustion. More than once they passed only a few meters from German troops without being detected. Exhausted, hungry and isolated, they still pressed on and refused to surrender. After several days behind enemy lines, they finally reached American positions. Mistaken for enemy infiltrators, they narrowly escaped a fatal misunderstanding before being identified and rescued. Meanwhile, Task Force Hogan continued resisting at Marcouray, encircled by German forces.