Major General Clyde "Chet" Wright

Clyde Chester “Chet” Wright, 101, of Avon, IN, passed from this life February 12, 2020. He was born in Indianapolis on August 21, 1918 to the late Clyde M. and Lillian (Staton) Wright. He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma (Smith) Wright on April 10, 2001. Chet and Velma transferred their church membership from Fleming Garden Christian Church in Indianapolis to Plainfield Christian Church on December 28, 1951. Chet considered he was a member to the day he died. He and Velma were proud of their three sons being baptized there 17 February 1957. They had lived in Plainfield, Indiana for about 60 years before Chet moved to Avon not long after his wife had died. Chet was a graduate of Ben Davis High School, class of 1936, and an alumnus of the school’s Wall of Fame. Chet is survived by his three sons and their wives, Larry and Paula, Jerry and Lynda and Melvin and Connie Wright. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Chet received several civic awards such as the The Sagamore of the Wabash and was a member of a few civic organizations, but he always wanted to be remembered most for his years of service in the military. Major General Clyde C. Wright enlisted in the 139th Field Artillery, 38th Infantry Division, Indiana National Guard in October 1940 and was ordered to active duty as a private and sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi in January 1941. In June 1944 he embarked for New Guinea staging area to invade the Philippine Islands. He served in combat on both Leyte and Luzon as well as several of the smaller islands. Serving as the Adjutant of the first battalion size unit to return to the United States as an organization, he set up procedures that were adopted by higher headquarters for future shipments. Major General Wright served in HHB 38th Division Artillery and HHD Ind Army National Guard. He was appointed Assistant Adjutant General, Army for the State of Indiana, in March 1973 and retired in 1978. General Wright was called out of retirement and was appointed Commanding General of the Indiana Guard Reserve in 1981 and retired again in 1986 with a combined total of 45 years military service. General Wright received the following decorations and awards: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with arrowhead and 3 campaign stars, World War II Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with star, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Indiana Distinguished Service Medal, Indiana Long Service Medal, Indiana Volunteer Emblem, and Indiana Commendation Medal. When the town of Avon installed their World War II monument, the sculptor used the likeness of General Wright’s head and face as it was in his early 20’s for the statue of the soldier. General Wright was a member of The Indiana Guard Reserve Retired Association. He will be remembered by many who loved and admired him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to support.woundedwarriorsproject.org/Donate. Funeral services will be Friday, February 21 at 10:00 am in Plainfield Christian Church (800 Dan Jones Road). Visitation will be Thursday, February 20, from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the church. Burial will be in Washington Park East Cemetery with full Military Honors.