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COX Ray Emerson Clift
Ray Emerson Clift was born Jan. 10, 1921 in Bridgeport Township in Lawrence County, Illinois. His parents, Golda Bell Clift and Cornelius “Neal” Clift, moved to Blue, Missouri, now a part of Independence east of Kansas City, by 1928. The mother was a homemaker and the father a laborer for a corn produce company and later a truck driver.
By the time the son applied to enlist in the Navy in December 1939 he’d completed 8th grade. His parents had divorced and he was living with his mother.
Mr. Clift was a coxswain and petty officer third class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Mr. Clift’s brother Neal Jr. served in the Navy during World War II and his brother Calvin served in Korea, though it isn’t clear in which branch of the armed services.
Sources: The Kansas City Star; Census; Navy enlistment records and muster roll; U.S. veterans gravesites. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
NOTE: If you are a family member related to this crew member of the U.S.S. Arizona, or have additional information, pictures or documents to share about his life or service to our county please contact us through our FAMILY MEMBER SUBMISSION FORM.