Roger Harvey Clapp was born on 24 March 1892 in Manhattan, New York. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Knight L. Clapp. He attended De Witte Clinton High School and later engaged in mining out West.

On 3 June 1917, Clapp enlisted in France's Service Aeronautique. From 13 June to 12 January 1918, he attended the aviation schools at Avord and the G.D.E. He received his brevet on the Caudron on 16 September 1917. From 15 January to 28 February 1918, Clapp was assigned to the Front to Escadrille BR. 120. On 14 March 1918, he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the U. S. Aviation.

From 30 March to 15 May 1918, Clapp continued to fly with BR. 120. On 6 June, he was assigned to the 96th Bombardment Squadron, USAS. He was the designer of the squadron's insignia. Clapp flew with that squadron until 6 July 1918, the day he was killed while testing a new plane at Amanty. With Sergeant Dunn in the rear cockpit, Clapp was preparing to land when the machine stalled, side-slipped, and crashed onto the airfield. It burst into flames, and Clapp and Dunn were consumed.

1Lt Clapp is now buried in the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, Marnes-la-Coquette, Departement des Hauts-de-Seine, Īle-de-France, France.

Source of information:
www.findagrave.com
From the book "The Lafayette Flying Corps: The American Volunteers in the French Air Service in World War One