Clarence James Rives Jr.

ENSIGN CLARENCE JAMES RIVES JR. was born in Camden NJ on July 15, 1924 to Clarence James and Miriam M. Rives. In 1930 he lived along with his parents and sister Mary in the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Ketchum, of 3618 Westfield Avenue in Camden NJ. His entire early life was spent in that East Camden neighborhood, his parents eventually moving to a home at 226 North 32nd Street. He graduated in 1942 from Woodrow Wilson High School on Federal Street, in Camden, and worked for the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company prior to entering the Navy in October of 1942. He was activated in April of 1943. 

Trained as a pilot at Pensacola FL Clarence Rives won his wings and commission in October 1944. Ensign Rives went overseas in February of 1945. He was killed in the Philippines on June 16, 1945. He was test flying an FM-2 Wildcat (Bureau Number #74566). The engine failed shortly after takeoff and he spun in to the ground. His death was reported in the July 20, 1945 edition of the Camden Courier-Post. Clarence Rives was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence James Rives Sr., and his sister, Miriam, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Whiley, all of Camden NJ.  

Clarence Rives Jr. was brought home after the war. He was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken NJ, where he now rests next to his parents.

He's that curly-headed lad,
That doesn't make much noise,
But he's always in on all the fun,
And a friend of all the boys.

Woodrow Wilson High School Yearbook
1942

Camden Courier-Post

September 3, 1948