Clifford W. Banks, 79, combat veteran

Clifford Warren Banks, a decorated combat veteran of World War II who had lived in Ridgefield, died Friday, June 13, at St. Raphael’s Hospital, New Haven. He was 79 years old.
Mr. Banks was born in Danbury on June 18, 1923, a son of the late Clifford and Alice Slocum Banks.
During World War II, Mr. Banks served in England with the Army 979th Signal Motor Messengers, delivering restricted material all over England, night and day, in all weather conditions.
He was a combat veteran of the D-Day landings June 6, 1944, on Omaha Beach, and participated in all the hedgerow fighting in France. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge with the 26th Yankee Division, 101st Infantry Regiment, where he was wounded.
When he returned from the front lines in February 1945, he was sent to the 42nd Rainbow Division, 222nd Infantry Regiment, as replacement and was one of the first soldiers that helped liberate Dachau Concentration Camp. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Motor Vehicles Driver’s Award, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Medal.
Mr. Banks returned home in December 1946 and operated gas stations in Georgetown and Branchville for many years. He had lived on Limekiln Road and later moved to Sharon and Lakeville where he had lived for more than 20 years before moving to New Haven a year ago.
His wife, Miriam Ranta Banks, died in 1966.
Mr. Banks is survived by two sons, Brian C. Banks and his wife Rhoda, of Danbury; Bruce C. Banks, of Danbury; a daughter, Jacqueline White, of Providence, R.I.; a brother Edward Banks, of New Milford; a granddaughter, Jessica White, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service took place Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897-2523.
The Hull Funeral Home in Danbury was in charge of arrangements.