Clarence L. Hebert, a longtime Federal Way resident, died Feb. 7 at his home. He was 81.

He was born Oct. 25, 1922 in Port Arthur, Texas, and married Maria Mosle in 1952 in Salzburg, Austria.

He served in the Army for 27 years, including two tours in Vietnam, retiring in 1973 as master sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during a 1969-70 Vietnam tour, and also received the Distinguished Service Award. He was awarded another Bronze Star for helping rescue and evacuate 50 civilians from flooded homes near Key West, Fla. during Hurricane Betsy in 1965.

After his military career, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 23 years at the postal center at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Upon his retirement in 1997, he received a commendation from the postmaster general for 50 years in the service of the United States —— 27 in the military and 23 with the Postal Service.

Survivors include a son, H. Josef Hebert of Maryland, and two granddaughters.

Services and inurnment were Feb. 12 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. Arrangements were by Price-Helton Funeral Home.