Funeral services have been set for the Carbon County native who served heroically during World War II and earned widespread acclaim later in life.

Clarence Smoyer died Friday, at the age of 99.

The husband of the late Melba (Whitehead) Smoyer , who died in 2017, he was born on June 25, 1923, in Parryville.

Clarence was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, serving from 1943-45, as a tank gunner with the 3rd Armored Division, 32nd Regiment.

On March 6, 1945, Clarence and the tank crew defeated a feared German Panther Tank in the key battle of Cologne, and with the passage of time Clarence became known as the “Hero of Cologne”. Clarence received a Purple Heart, French Medialle de la Legion d’ Honnear, European Middle-Eastern Medal, Army Occupation Medal and in 2019 he received a Bronze Star with Valor at a ceremony in Washington D.C.

Smoyer became well known after his story was told in the bestselling book, “Spearhead” written by Adam Makos and movie by Jim Bates.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Schaeffer Funeral Home 3rd & Alum Streets Lehighton with Reverend Anthony Pagotto officiating, Committal Service to follow at Lehighton Cemetery with full military honors under the direction of the U.S Army and the Lehighton UVO.

A calling will be held prior to the service from 9:30-11 a.m., at the Schaeffer Funeral Home, Lehighton, Contributions may be made to the Lehighton American Legion Post 381 Bridge Street Lehighton, PA 18235 or V.F.W. 1110 South Front Street Allentown, PA 18103

For the complete obituary, see Tuesday’s edition.