Born: August 7, 1922
Died: February 4, 1943
Corporal Clayton F. Muller, a veteran of the second World War, was the first casualty from Paul Smith's. He was apparently buried overseas, as his name does not appear in any of the local cemetery listings.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, no date, reprinted February 25, 2023, in Howard Riley's column
First Paul Smith's casualty of WWII
Corporal Clayton F. Muller is the first casualty of Paul Smith's in the second World War. He died on active duty with an anti-tank division in the Northwestern front in Africa just before the Germans launched their drive.
Corporal Muller enlisted in the U.S. Army in Malone on October 19, 1940. His early training [took place] at Madison Barracks and he was then assigned to the 5th Field Artillery. With this outfit he went through the maneuvers in Louisiana during the summer of 1941.
When, as a result of the lessons learned in these maneuvers, an anti-tank division was formed for overseas duty, Corporal Muller was picked for duty in the new service branch. He then left for further training in England with a tank destroyer division. Following service in the Isles, the division was sent to Africa.
Corporal Muller was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Muller of Paul Smith's. He had attended lower schools in Brighton and Santa Clara towns, and he attended Saranac Lake high school but he enlisted before graduation.
Yesterday, Mrs. Muller received the following communication by telegram from the Adjutant General's Office: "The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son, Corporal Clayton F. Muller, was killed in action in defense of his country in Northwest Africa February 4. Letter will follow. Signed --Ulio, Adjutant General"
