Clinton Ameil Freeman

Col. Clinton Ameil Freeman, United States Army (Retired) passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the age of 91. Clint was a soldier, Vietnam veteran, mentor, sixteen-year lung cancer survivor, and relentless armchair quarterback of his beloved Washington football team.

Born on September 28, 1932, in Washington DC. Clint was the youngest of three children from the union of Willie Beatrice Taborn Freeman and Henry Freeman. He often accompanied family members on trips back to North Carolina to help on the family farm. He was a fearless and adventurous child, as demonstrated by an impromptu train trip he took as a young teen with a buddy to Yankee Stadium (without permission). As fraught with hazard as this was, given the era, it also helped him envision that his love of athletics and God-given abilities could help him pursue his desire for a college education. After graduating from Armstrong High School, Clint attended Virginia State University on a football and ROTC scholarship. There his talent and hard work were recognized when he received team and conference honors in 1953 and 1954. Additionally, he was named CIAA conference player of the year in 1954. Clint also pledged Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. More significantly, it was there he met his future wife of 60 years, the late Carole Glenda Mitchell. After attaining his Bachelor of Arts degree, Clint was commissioned in 1955 as a First Lieutenant in the Army and set off on an adventure that would take Glenda and him around the world.

As a member of the Army's First Infantry Division, Clint's first assignment was monitoring the post-war boarder between Germany and Czechoslovakia. After transitioning to the Signal Corp, subsequent assignments included Vietnam, Thailand, and Panama. During his military career, Clint received numerous military honors including the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star. He also attended the National War College and completed his Master's degree in International Affairs at George Washington University. One of the highlights of his service was traveling with a diplomatic contingent to multiple countries in Africa.

After retiring from active duty with the Army, Clint worked as a manager for several federal contractors and volunteered providing tax preparation support for seniors. Clint is survived by his son, Richard Freeman (Nina) and daughter Beth Wilson (Barry); sister-in-law Loretta Powell, brother-in-law Dr. Roosevelt (Chuck) Bush; grandchildren Brandon Wilson (Demetria), Thaddeus Freeman (Eileen), Breanna Wilson, Hallie Freeman, Brooke Wilson, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1601 South 13th Road, Arlington, VA 22204, on Thursday, January 25, at 11 a.m. Viewing at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.