Clarence Singleton looked the horror of war in the face three times during his life. Two of those encounters took place right here on the home front.
Singleton was one of a family of eight children whose father deserted them. He often had to leave school early to work to support his family. But thanks to encouragement from his mother, he always kept his grades above average.
Singleton volunteered to join the Marine Corps in 1967 knowing fell well he would be shipped to Vietnam. He served as a Lance Corporal with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. He describes the transition from wondering if he would survive to a battle hardened “wild man.” He was 28 days short when he was wounded in a rocket attack. He still carries shrapnel from that attack in his body to this day.
Reintegrating back to civilian life came with challenges, particularly finding work. Singleton literally knocked door to door looking for any kind of employment he could find. In 1978 he decided to join the New York Fire Department.
His unit responded to the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993. He was credited with saving numerous lives including a woman who went into labor during the evacuations. He served with NYFD for 22 years and retired in 2000.
Although he had been retired for a year, when he heard about the 9/11 attacks, he immediately rushed to ground zero to help. While working at the base of the South Tower, Singleton miraculously escaped from being crushed in the collapse of the second tower but was seriously injured. He vividly describes those horrifying moments. After being treated at a nearby hospital, he once again returned to ground zero to help.
Singleton’s story is one of resilience and never giving up. His journey is captured in the book “The Heart of a Hero”.
Singleton moved to a quiet, peaceful home in Virginia. He stays busy by making inspirational speeches and participating in various 9/11 memorial events.