Clarence Richmond was born in Cleveland, Tennessee in 1895. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1916 and then went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He was there until 1918, when he joined the Marines.

Clarence Richmond joined the United States Marine Corps ad went on to fight in World War 1. While in France in 1918, Richmond was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. He received his medal on Armistice Day (November 11)  in 1920.  His citation reads:

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Clarence L. Richmond (MCSN: 108937), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Forty-Third Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Blanc Mont, France, October 3 - 5, 1918. Private Richmond unhesitatingly went through the heaviest machine-gun and artillery fire dressing and carrying wounded. Disregarding his own safety, he refused to take rest or food while there were wounded needing attention.”

After his service in World War I, Clarence Richmond moved back to hi hometown of Cleveland.  During his service, he kept a diary, which he typed and turned into a memoir. In 1979, it was serialized and published in the Cleveland Daily Banner.