Ens. Henry Clausen Jr. was born on January 19, 1921, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Henry Clausen Sr. and Clarabel Barker-Clausen. He was raised at 818 North Fifth Avenue, Maywood, Illinois, and graduated from Lincoln Grade School and later Proviso Township High School in 1938. After high school, he went to Northwestern University. During his senior year of college, on February 16, 1942, he registered with Selective Service, and names his father as his contact person. He also enlisted in the Naval Reserve and received a commission as an ensign. His serial number was 32 50 02. After graduating, he married Yvonne I. Perrin and the couple resided at 179 East Chestnut Street in Chicago. He became the father of a son, Charles.
When he was called to active duty, he sent to Officers Introduction School, Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and then to the Radar School, Sea Island, Georgia. Next, he was assigned to the USS Petrof and took part in the following battles: The Battle of South Palay Islands, The Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Subic Bay landings, the Battle of Iwo Jima, and the Battle of Okinawa.
According to available information, on March 21, 1945, off Okinawa, a large wave hit the ship. In one version of the story he was swept into the bulkhead and died from his injuries and was buried at sea. In the version that is in his Individual Deceased Personnel File, the wave swept him off the ship never to be seen again. Since he was lost at sea, his name appears on the Walls of the Missing at the American Military Cemetery, outside of Manila, Philippine Islands.
