Clarence F. Simpson’s life has been defined by discipline, service and a deep commitment to others, from his early days in Harlem to the battlefields of Vietnam and his decades of work helping fellow veterans.
Featured on Richard Acritelli’s Fog of War podcast on hmTV, Simpson discussed growing up in Harlem, where childhood memories included summer days around open fire hydrants, building scooters from scrap wood and waiting outside a Borden’s ice cream factory for free treats. In 1959, his father moved the family to Manorville, a shift from city streets to rural life that proved transformative.
At first, the change was difficult. But Simpson soon embraced the responsibilities that came with it. He helped build the family home while living in it, chopping wood, pumping water, wiring rooms and learning practical skills. He credited his father, an engineer, with instilling discipline, structure and a strong work ethic.
In high school, Simpson was active in sports, playing soccer, basketball and track. He later attended Suffolk Community College, where he recalled the shock of hearing about President John F. Kennedy’s assassination while on campus. At the time, the growing conflict in Vietnam still felt distant.
That changed in 1965 when Simpson received his draft notice. He reported for duty on Dec. 7, a date he said he would never forget. After induction at Fort Hamilton and training at Fort Dix and Fort Lewis, he deployed with the 4th Infantry Division to Vietnam in 1966.
Simpson described the war as physically demanding and unpredictable. His unit spent long stretches in the field, often 35 to 40 days at a time, operating near the Cambodian border. He faced intense heat, heavy rains and constant danger from enemy forces and hidden explosives. He was wounded by grenade fragments while assisting fellow soldiers and later experienced the long-term health effects associated with chemical exposure.
Despite the hardships, Simpson emphasized the strong bonds formed among soldiers. Those relationships endured long after the war ended, with many of his fellow servicemen remaining close friends throughout his life.
After returning home, Simpson served briefly as a drill instructor at Fort Dix, helping prepare new soldiers for combat. He then built a successful civilian career, working at Grumman, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Xerox and later AT&T, NYNEX and Verizon, where he trained employees across the country.
Simpson also witnessed history firsthand, including the Sept. 11 attacks while working in Lower Manhattan. Like his military service, the experience left a lasting impression.
In later years, he found a second calling through Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 11 in Suffolk County, where he serves as vice president. The organization mentors struggling veterans, supports treatment court programs and helps connect former service members with critical resources. Simpson has also participated in a PTSD support group for more than two decades.
His life reflects resilience, service and a belief that helping others is the most important mission of all. View the full Fog of War interview at hmTV.