World War II veteran Clarence Tompkins is the Honorary Grand Marshal for Myrtle Beach's Military Appreciation Days Parade

Local World War II veteran Clarence Tompkins is the Honorary Grand Marshal for Myrtle Beach’s Military Appreciation Days Parade. He served in Darby’s Rangers, US Army 4th Infantry Division, and landed with the first wave on D-Day at Normandy, June 6, 1944. Tompkins was slightly wounded in France, then severely wounded during the Battle of the Bulge, where he was shot four times by a machine gun. His nine decorations include: two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with Cluster and two medals from France, including the Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty. The Myrtle Beach area resident turns 99 years old on May 27. Tompkins joins Grand Marshal Rocky Bleier, Vietnam Veteran and former Pittsburgh Steeler, at the head of the parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. and travels along Howard Avenue and Farrow Parkway. Come cheer him on during Military Appreciation Days, Saturday May 29, sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information about this year's events, go to https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/i_want_to/learn_about/military_appreciation_days.php.