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Admiral Clark was born in Pryor, Oklahoma, on
12 November 1893, son of Cherokee Indian William A. Clark and Lillie Berry
Clark. He attended Willie Halsell College, Vinita, Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma
Agricultural and Mechanical College, at Stillwater; and graduated from the US
Naval Academy with the class of 1918 in June 1917. He was the first Native
American graduate of the naval Academy.
During World War I he served in the cruiser North Carolina, engaged in
convoying troops across the Atlantic. Following the war, he remained at sea,
serving in the destroyers Aaron Ward, Aulick, and Brooks in the Near East,
later commanding the Brooks upon return to the United States, and as
Executive Officer of the Bulmer, employed by the American Relief
Administration and the Near East Relief. Upon his return to the United States
he became an instructor at the US Naval Academy, 1923-24.
Designated Naval Aviator on 6 March 1925, he served with Aircraft Squadrons,
Battle Fleet, successfully as Flight Officer of Utility Squadron ONE,
Aviation Officer of the battleship Mississippi, and Aviation Technical
Advisor to Commander Battleship Division THREE. He commanded Fighting
Squadron 2-B of the Lexington in 1931-32, and was Air Officer of that carrier
in 1936-37.
Shore duty on regular rotation during the period between wars included tours
as Executive Officer of the Naval Air Station, Anacostia, DC; as Aeronautical
Member of the Board of Inspection and Survey, Navy Department; as Executive
Officer of the Fleet Air Base, Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, T.H., with
additional duty in command of Patrol Wing TWO, 1938-39; as Inspector of Naval
Aircraft, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Buffalo, New York, 1940; and as
Executive Officer of the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, 1940-41.
He was aboard the carrier Yorktown when the United States entered World War
II, and subsequently participated in the raid on the Marcus and Gilbert
Islands. He commissioned the USS Suwanee, and commanded that carrier escort
during the assault and occupation of French Morocco in November 1942, and for
outstanding service received a Letter of Commendation with Ribbon.
He commanded the carrier Yorktown (fourth vessel of that name) from her
commissioning, 4 April 1943 to February 1944, in operations against Marcus,
Wake, Mille, Jaluit, Makin, Kwajalein and Wotje, and for conspicuous
gallantry was awarded the Silver Star Medal. In the rank of Rear Admiral, he
was a Task Group Commander of carriers and screening vessels operating
alternately with the FIRST and SECOND Carrier Task Groups of the Pacific
Fleet, and for distinguished service (including Okinawa, Ryukyus and the
Tokyo area), was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), the
Navy Cross, and Legion of Merit with Combat "V".
Upon his return to the United States in June 1945, he was appointed Chief,
Naval Air Intermediate Training Command, Corpus Christi, Texas. In September
1946 he became Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Air, and from November
1948 had duty afloat in command of Carrier Division FOUR and Carrier Division
THREE, with a tour in the interim, August 1950 - October 1951, as Commander
Naval Air Bases, Eleventh and Twelfth Naval Districts. On 24 March 1952, he
was designated Commander FIRST Fleet, in the rank of Vice Admiral, and on 20
May 1952 transferred to command of the SEVENTH Fleet. He was transferred on 1
December 1953, to the Retired List of the US Navy, and was advanced to the
rank of Admiral on the basis of combat citations.
After retirement, Admiral Clark was a business executive in New York. His
last position was Chairman of the Board of Hegeman Harris, Inc., a New York
investment firm. Clark was an honorary chief by both the Sioux and Cherokee
nations. He died 13 July 1971 at the Naval Hospital, St. Albans, New York,
and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with Gold
Star, the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star Medal, the Commendation Ribbon,
and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with two stars, Rear Admiral Clark
has the Victory Medal, Escort Clasp (USS North Carolina), and is entitled to
the American Defense Service Medal with Bronze "A" (for service in
the old USS Yorktwon which operated in actual or potential belligerent
contact with the Axis Forces in the Atlantic Ocean prior to December 7,
1941); the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal with one
bronze star; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with twelve bronze
stars; the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star; and the World
War II Victory Medal.
Silver Star Medal
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the
U.S.S. Yorktown, during operations against enemy-held islands in the Central
Pacific Area, from August 31 to December 5, 1943. Skillfully handling his
ship during these widespread and extended operations, Rear Admiral (then
Captain) Clark enabled aircraft based on his carrier to launch damaging
attacks on enemy aircraft, shipping and shore installations on Marcus, Wake,
Jaluit, Kwajalein and Wotje Islands. During the day and night of December 4,
when the Yorktown was under severe enemy attack, almost continuously for one
five-hour period at night, he maneuvered his vessel so expertly that all
attacks were repelled without damage. By his devotion to duty throughout, he
contributed materially to the success of our forces and upheld the highest
traditions of the United States Naval Service."
The U.S.S. Yorktown was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her
heroism in action in the Pacific from August 31, 1943, to August 15, 1945. As
her commanding officer during the first part of this period, Rear Admiral
Clark received a facsimile of, and the ribbon for, this citation. the
citation follows:
Presidential Unit Citation - USS Yorktown
"For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in
the air, at sea and on shore in the Pacific War Area from August 31, 1943, to
August 15, 1945. Spearheading our concentrated carrier-warfare in forward
areas, the U.S.S. Yorktown and her air groups struck crushing blows toward
annihilating the enemy's fighting strength; they provided air cover for our
amphibious forces; they fiercely countered the enemy's savage aerial attacks
and destroyed his planes; and they inflicted terrific losses on the Japanese
in Fleet and merchant marine units sunk or damaged. Daring and dependable in
combat, the Yorktown with her gallant officers and men rendered loyal service
in achieving the ultimate defeat of the Japanese Empire."
On Januay 31, 1944, he was appointed Rear Admiral to rank from April 23,
1943. From February 1944 through June 1945 Rear Admiral Clark served as a
Task Group Commander operating alternately with the First and Second Fast
Carrier Task Groups of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, with the U.S.S. Hornet as his
flagship. During this period he also was Commander of Carrier Division 13
(later redesignated Carrier Divsion 5). For his services during this period,
Rear Admiral Clark was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, a Gold Star in
lieu of a Second Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Cross, and the Legion
of Merit. He also received a facsimile of, and the ribbon for, the
Presidential Unit Citation to the U.S.S. Hornet. The citations follow:
Distinguished Service Medal:
"For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United
States in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of a Task Group of
Carriers and Screening Vessels in operations against enemy Japanese forces in
the Pacific Area from April through June 1944. Participating in our
amphibious invasion of Hollandia on April 21 to 24, Rear Admiral Clark's
well-coordinated and highly efficient units rendered invaluable assistance to
our landing forces in establishing a beachhead and securing their positions and
later, at the Japanese stronghold of Truk, helped to neutralize shore
installations and planes both on the ground and in the air. By his keen
forsight and resourcefulness, Rear Admiral Clark contributed in large measure
to the overwhelming victories achieved by our forces against Japanese
carrier-based aircraft, task units and convoys during the battle of the
Marianas and attacks on the Bonin Islands. His indomitable fighting spirit
and heroic leadership throughout this vital period were in keeping with the
highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Navy Cross:
"For distinguishing himself by extraordinary heroism in operations
against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Task Group in the vicinity
of the Bonin Islands on 4 August, 1944. Upon receipt of information that an
enemy convoy had been sighted proceeding in a northerly course enroute from
the Bonins to the Empire, he immediately requested and received permission to
organize an interception. He forthwith proceeded at high speed to lead his
forces into Japanese home waters and intercepted the convoy, sinking five
cargo vessels, four destroyer escorts and one large new type destroyer, while
aircraft launched on his order searched within two hundred miles of the main
islands of Japan shooting down two four engined search planes and one twin
engined bomber as well as strafing and heavily damaging a destroyer and
sinking three sampan type patrol vessels, and later in the day a light
cruiser and an additional destroyer. By his professional skill, high personal
courage, and superlative leadership, he inspired the units under his command
to exceptional performance of duty in close proximity to strongly held home
bases of the enemy. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest
traditions of the Naval Service."
Legion of Merit:
"For excceptionally meritorious conduct in the perormance of outstanding
service as Commander of a Task Group of the Fast Carrier Task Forces during
the period from 24 March to 28 March 1945. On 24 March, he aggressively
attacked a Japanese convoy of eight ships near the Ryuku Islands. By swift
decisive action he directed planes of the Task group so that they were able
to sink the entire convoy. On 28 March a sweep of Southern Ryuku was
initiated by the Task Group Commander and resulted in the destruction of one
Japanese destroyer and a destroyer escort, in addition to numerous Japanese
aircraft. His quick thinking, careful planning and fighting spirit were
responsible for a maximum of damage done to the enemy. His courage and
devotion to duty were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest
traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Gold Star in lieu of Second Distinguished Service Medal
"For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United
States in a duty of great responsibility as Commander Task Group Fifty-Eight
Point One during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Tokyo Area and
the Ryukyus, and in supporting operations at Okinawa, from February 10 to May
29, 1945. Maintaining his Task Group in a high state of combat readiness,
Rear Admiral Clark skillfully deployed the forces at his disposal for maximum
effectiveness against the enemy. Directing operations with brilliant and
forceful leadership, he was responsible for the swift interception of
Japanese air groups flying in to attack our surface units and by his prompt
and accurate decisions, effected extensive and costly destruction in enemy
planes thereby minimizing the danger to our ships and personnel. As a result
of his bold and aggressive tactics against hostile surface units on March 24
and 28, the planes of Task Group Fifty-Eight Point One launched a fierce
aerial attack against a convoy of eight enemy ships near the Ryukyu Islands
to sink the entire convoy during the first engagement and a hostile destroyer
and destroyer escort in the second. Courageous and determined in combat, Rear
Admiral Clark served as an inspiration to the officers and men of his command
and his successful fulfillment of a vital mission contributed essentially to
the ultimate defeat of the Japanese Empire."
Presidential Unit Citation - USS Hornet
"For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in
the air, ashore and afloat in the Pacific War Area from March 29, 1944, to
June 10, 1945. Operating continuously in the most forward areas, the USS
Hornet and her air groups struck crushing blows toward annihilating Japanese
fighting power; they provided air cover for our amphibious forces; they
fiercely countered the enemy's aerial attacks and destoyed his planes; and
they inflicted terrific losses on the Japanese in Fleet and merchant marine
units sunk or damaged. Daring and dependable in combat, the Hornet with her
gallant officers and men rendered loyal service in achieving the ultimate
defeat of the Japanese Empire."
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