Born to Louis and Jean Clemens of Hopedale, Ohio on October 11, 1944. Raised on the home farm and attended Jewett High School, Jewett, Ohio, graduating in 1962. Moved to Atkinson, Nebraska after high school and worked on a 6,000-acre cattle ranch from 1962 through 1965 and took first flying lesson a neighbor's Piper J-3 aircraft. Drafted into the U.S. Army in July 1965. Attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Advanced Individual Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Selected as a United States Army military policeman while awaiting flight school. Began flight school at the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School, Fort Wolters, Texas in June 1966, completing the phase in November 1966. Sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama in November 1966 for Instrument and Tactical Training. Graduated in April 1967 and proceeded to the Republic of Vietnam, assigned to Bravo Company, 229th Aviation Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division. This was an assault helicopter company with a primary mission of combat assault, re-supply of troops and medivac of wounded. During that year flew just under 1,000 flight hours. Awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, thirty-one air medals and the Purple Heart for Heroism and Bravery.
During tour of duty in Vietnam, designated combat assault flight leader, unusual for Warrant Officer W-1. A two-day assault to rescue marines at Khe Sanh broke the siege of the base by the North Vietnamese. As combat assault leader, during the TET offensive of 1968, never lost an aircraft or crew. Upon return to the United States, assigned to Fort Wolters, Texas as a flight standardization pilot and examiner in all three of the training aircraft at the base. Offered a promotion to the rank of 1st Lieutenant as a result of accomplishments in Vietnam. Elected instead to remain a Warrant Officer for the duration of tour. Discharged from the Army in December 1969.
Went to work as a charter/corporate pilot flying single and multi-engine aircraft for a company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Joined the Pennsylvania National Guard and worked as a Department of Defense civilian from 1971-1978, as an instructor and instrument flight examiner flying turbine helicopters. Transferred to the 99th Army Reserve Command in 1978, flying turbine helicopter and multi-engine fixed wing aircraft. Hired by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1978 as an operations inspector. Assigned to the Allegheny General Aviation District Office from 1978 to 1985, performing type ratings in nine different turbine and jet airplanes and helicopters. Worked at FAA Washington Headquarter 1985-1987. Returned to Allegheny Flight Standards District Office as Operations Unit Supervisor from 1987 until retirement in January 2002. Maintained proficiency in military aircraft (turbine helicopters and airplanes) over the years through continued flying with the West Virginia National Guard February 2002, reported to the Fixed Wing Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (FWAATS) in Clarksburg, West Virginia as Senior Instructor and Instrument Flight Examiner in C-12 aircraft for the U.S. Army. Promoted to the rank of CW-5 in January 2003.