About
Claude Charles Denardis, the son of Clarence and Emily (Furman) Denardis, was born on November 3, 1948, in Amsterdam, New York. He relocated to Schenectady as a young child. He participated in the tennis team and earned his diploma from Mont Pleasant High School in 1966. Following his graduation from Fulton Montgomery Community College in 1968, Claude spent a number of months working in the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory's drafting division.
In 1968, Claude enlisted in the United States Army. He held the rank of Private First Class and served with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. On May 28, 1969, Claude started his tour of duty in Vietnam. While taking part in an air mobile operation with his unit, they came under hostile fire. Claude offered to get close enough to the emplacement to throw a grenade inside. He was able to accomplish his mission and saved his squad leader's life. Following Claude's completion, he was struck by enemy fire and was fatally wounded. In the South Vietnamese province of Kien Tuong, he passed away on June 27, 1969. Claude is buried in Evergreen Memorial Park, Colonie, New York.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry