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About Percy
Mentioned in another story
This story is about someone or something else, and names Percy W. Clarkson.
Percy W. Clarkson
1893–1962 · Male · died at 68
- 3 photos
- 4 newspaper clippings, 2 more cited
- 12 records (9 viewable)
- Percy W. Clarkson: from a Houston household to major general
- Mentioned in another story
- Documented military service (Confirmed)
How to read this page
- Photos and clippings count items you can view here.
- Cited or transcribed records are counted separately.
- Story links lead to accounts about the person; “Mentioned in another story” marks a passing reference.
- Memorial links open Find a Grave.
- A “family recollection” label marks something a relative remembered, not a written record.
- A military-service label rates the record of that service, not the whole life.
Sex is as recorded in the family tree. Age at death is worked out from the dates shown and may be a range or an approximation. It is left out when a date is missing or is only a “before”, “after” or “between” date, when the research has found a date Unconfirmed, when the two dates conflict, or when they would mean an age over 110.
Overview
Percy W. Clarkson1893–1962
No children shown
Service
World War II · Army · 1916–1953 Confirmed
The years are his Army career, commissioned 1916 and retired 1953; he was a general in World War II from 1942.
- Official Army Register, January 1, 1946, p. 127: Clarkson, Herbert S. and Clarkson, Percy W. Herbert S. Clarkson brig. gen. A. U. S. 14 Sept. 43; Percy W. Clarkson col. A. U. S. 14 Oct. 41, brig. gen. 20 June 42, maj. gen. 5 Dec. 42.
- Army Register, 1955, vol. I, p. 936: Clarkson Herbert Slayden (retired 31 May 46) and Clarkson Percy William (retired 31 Dec 53). Brig Gen Herbert Slayden Clarkson, retired 31 May 46, DSM; Maj Gen Percy William Clarkson, retired 31 Dec 53.
In the story: The twentieth century · Veterans of the family
Family
Parents
- Father: William Banton Clarkson 1858-1933
Confirmed evidence: show why
Why: Percy is listed as a child of William Clarkson in the 1900 census household in Houston.
Records:
- 1900 U.S. census, Houston Ward 3, Harris County, Texas (ED 76, sheet 19B, lines 72-80): William Clarkson, cotton buyer, his wife Alice and seven children (record page · view at Ancestry)
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep 1933, p. 2: 'Retired Cotton Broker Expires' (obituary of W. B. Clarkson) (record page · view at Newspapers.com)
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Likely (09-24-2026, newspapers): Named as W. B. Clarkson's children in Texas newspapers and memorials. · Likely (09-24-2026, research): Named as W. B. Clarkson's children in Texas newspapers and memorials.
- Mother: Alice Ann (Peaple) Clarkson 1859–1922
Confirmed evidence: show why
Why: Percy is listed as a child in William and Alice Clarkson's 1900 household; Alice is recorded as the mother of seven children, all living.
Records:
- 1900 U.S. census, Houston Ward 3, Harris County, Texas (ED 76, sheet 19B, lines 72-80): William Clarkson, cotton buyer, his wife Alice and seven children (record page · view at Ancestry)
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Likely (09-24-2026, newspapers): Named as W. B. Clarkson's children in Texas newspapers and memorials. · Likely (09-24-2026, research): Named as children of W. B. and Alice Clarkson in Texas newspapers and memorials.
Life events
| Born | 9 DEC 1893, Texas Unconfirmed evidence: show whyWhy: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. Records attached in the tree:
Review: not yet reviewed. |
|---|---|
| Died | 14 SEP 1962, Fort Sam Houston, Bexar, Texas, USA Unconfirmed evidence: show why |
| Also recorded as | Percy Clarkson (Major General) |
| Residence | 1900, Houston Ward 3, Harris, Texas, USA Image: Percy W. Clarkson's Texas death certificate, 1962. |
| Residence | 1910, San Antonio Ward 8, Bexar, Texas |
| Military service | Commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry, 30 Nov 1916 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946, p. 127, his own entry (O4676): his Regular Army record begins with this infantry commission, before the Army of the United States promotions of 1941-1943 already shown on his page. Added per CLAUDE-REVIEW-2026-10-05.md (his page lagged the published story, which already cited this same register page for the date). Records:
Review: assessed 10-05-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Military service | Colonel, Army of the United States (accepted 18 Oct 1941), 14 Oct 1941 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946, his own entry (O4676). Records:
Review: assessed 10-01-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Military service | Colonel, Army of the United States, 14 OCT 1941 |
| Military service | Brigadier General, Army of the United States, 20 Jun 1942 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946, his own entry. Records:
Review: assessed 10-01-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Military service | Major General, Army of the United States, 5 Dec 1942 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946, his own entry. He went on to command the 33rd Infantry Division through the Philippines liberation and later Pacific atomic-test task forces (secondary-sourced career narrative, not independently re-verified). Records:
Review: assessed 10-01-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Death | 14 Sep 1962, Brooke Army General Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep 1962: "Retired Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson, 69, who had been cited for successful direction of the 1950 atomic tests at Eniwetok in the Pacific, died Friday... His death at Brooke Army General Hospital followed a brief illness." The notice died Friday 14 Sep 1962, reported the next day; names no survivors. The article gives 1950 for the Eniwetok test; a secondary Wikipedia account elsewhere places it in 1952 -- kept as recorded, not resolved. Records:
Review: assessed 10-01-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Percy Clarkson obituary | 15 SEP 1962, Fort Worth, Texas |
| Residence | ABT 1962, Olmos Park, Bexar, Texas, USA |
| Residence | San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA |
Newspapers
4 newspaper clippings to view here. View them larger, one at a time.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas), Saturday 9 September 1933, p. 2 (Obituary Index entry naming Florence Alice Clarkson and William Banton Clarkson). Full newspaper page as saved.9 Sep 1933 · p. 2
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep 1962, p. 4: Retired General Dies In San Antonio at 69 (Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson).15 Sep 1962 · p. 4
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 September 1962: "Retired General Dies In San Antonio at 69." An Associated Press item says Retired Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson, 69, cited for directing the 1950 atomic tests at Eniwetok, died on Friday at Brooke Army General Hospital; he had been board chairman of the Fort Sam Houston National Bank since leaving the Army.1962-09-15 · p. 4
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 September 1962: "Retired General Dies In San Antonio at 69." Retired Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson, 69, cited for direction of the 1950 atomic tests at Eniwetok, died Friday at Brooke Army General Hospital after a brief illness. Board chairman of Fort Sam Houston National Bank since retiring from the Army.15 Sep 1962
Also cited, with no image here
- Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946, p. 127 (leaf 143): Percy W. Clarkson (O4676), Active List. Internet Archive. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep 1962, p. 4: "Retired General Dies In San Antonio at 69". Newspapers.com. URL: https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-percy-clarkson/192103453/ Newspaper or record reference; read it at the archive or publisher.
- U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current Newspaper or record reference; read it at the archive or publisher.
Record images
9 record images to view here. View them larger, one at a time.
Official Army Register, January 1, 1946, p. 127: Clarkson, Herbert S. and Clarkson, Percy W. Herbert S. Clarkson brig. gen. A. U. S. 14 Sept. 43; Percy W. Clarkson col. A. U. S. 14 Oct. 41, brig. gen. 20 June 42, maj. gen. 5 Dec. 42.1946 · p. 127
Percy W. Clarkson's own entry in the Official Army Register, 1 January 1946: decorations, education, and exact promotion dates through Major General.1946
Official Register of the United States (1950), p. 152: Department of Defense, Third Army installations, Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson, 3d Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga. Class I Installations of the Third Army: 'Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson.. 3d Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.', legal residence Tex. 20th congressional district.1950 · p. 152
Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954, vol. II, part 2, p. 1025: Joint Task Force 132 under Maj. General Percy W. Clarkson (joint release, 1952). Appendix A, joint release of the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission: Joint Task Force 132 will conduct tests in the autumn at Eniwetok Atoll; 'The organization of Joint Task Force 132 under the command of Maj. General Percy W. Clarkson was announced February 18, 1952.' Footnote 14: 'Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Armed Forces, Pacific.'.1952-1954 · p. 1025
Army Register, 1955, vol. I, p. 936: Clarkson Herbert Slayden (retired 31 May 46) and Clarkson Percy William (retired 31 Dec 53). Brig Gen Herbert Slayden Clarkson, retired 31 May 46, DSM; Maj Gen Percy William Clarkson, retired 31 Dec 53.1955 · p. 936
Major General Percy William Clarkson, 15 September 1962.15 Sep 1962
1900 U.S. Census, Houston Ward 3, Harris County, Texas: Percy Clarkson, with his parents and six siblings.
1910 U.S. Census, San Antonio Ward 8, Bexar County, Texas: Percy, still in his parents' household.
Percy W. Clarkson's Texas death certificate, 1962.
Photos & documents
Sources
- Official Army Register, 1 January 1946, Vol. I (War Department, Adjutant General's Office), Active List, p. 127 (leaf 143), entry 'Clarkson, Percy W. (O4676). B--Tex. 9 Dec. 93 ...'; Internet Archive item officialarmyregi1946unit Military Citation only Birth, Military service
- 1900 United States Federal Census Census Viewable scan Transcription Birth, Residence
Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Houston Ward 3, Harris, Texas; Roll: 1642; Page: 19B; Enumeration… - 1910 United States Federal Census Census Viewable scan Transcription Birth, Residence
Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: San Antonio Ward 8, Bexar, Texas; Roll: T624_1532; Page: 5B; Enum… - Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946, p. 127 (leaf 143): Percy W. Clarkson (O4676), Active List. Internet Archive. No URL recorded Military Citation only Military service
- Newspapers.com - Fort Worth Star-Telegram - 15 Sep 1962 - 4 Newspapers Viewable scan Event
Percy Clarkson obituary 15 Sep 1962 - Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982 Birth, marriage and death records Viewable scan Residence
- Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946, p. 127 (leaf 143): Percy W. Clarkson (O4676), Active List. Internet Archive. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep 1962, p. 4: "Retired General Dies In San Antonio at 69". Newspapers.com. URL: https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-percy-clarkson/192103453/ Newspapers Citation only
- U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current Newspapers Citation only Residence
Research sources
- 1900 U.S. census, Houston Ward 3, Harris County, Texas (ED 76, sheet 19B, lines 72-80): William Clarkson, cotton buyer, his wife Alice and seven children Census view at Ancestry
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep 1962, p. 4: "Retired General Dies In San Antonio at 69" Newspapers view at Newspapers.com
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep 1933, p. 2: 'Retired Cotton Broker Expires' (obituary of W. B. Clarkson) Newspapers view at Newspapers.com
- Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946, p. 127 (leaf 143): Percy W. Clarkson (O4676), Active List Other documents view at Internet Archive
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