FEATURED VETERAN
|
|
March 2023 "American Veterans News We Can Use" Volume 1 number 1 - Page 4
clark e. clark * U.S. NAVY
received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with the Combat Distinguishing Device
Stationed on Kaneohe Bay on December 7, 1941, Clark was among many sailors and Marines who were attacked at Pearl Harbor, which was located just minutes from Kaneohe Bay. In May 1945, he was attacked by Japanese planes while serving as a steward first class aboard USS Aaron Ward. Although the attack broke his collarbone, Clark dragged many servicemen to safety and extinguished a fire that would have otherwise destroyed the ship. As reward for his actions, the ship’s captain provided him with additional leave and ensured he would deploy to sea again. Because he was African American, however, Clark did not receive any public recognition for his actions. He nonetheless continued his Navy service for another 13 years, eventually becoming a chief petty officer before retiring in 1958.
[Writer: Khaled Maalouf]
[Writer: Khaled Maalouf]
|
|
The crew of the destroyer-minesweeper Aaron Ward (DM-34) ship suffered damage and high casualties. Although the total number of kamikaze and bombing attacks was less than other ship, however, they came in more rapid succession. Nevertheless, the crew of Aaron Ward saved their ship in an epic of damage control following an intense suicide attack at the beginning of the massed kamikaze attack Kikusui (“Floating Chrysanthemums”).
On May 3, 1945, Clark's ship, the USS Aaron Ward, was struck by six Kamikaze planes and two bombs during World War II. Clark was one of six African-American soldiers on the ship.
World War II vet honored
for heroism after 66 yearS
Carl Clark received Medal from Secretary of the U.S. Navy Ray Mabus during the commendation ceremony held at Moffett Field on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.
Carl Clark, a California man who was recognized more than six decades after his bravery during World War II with a medal that had been denied because of his skin color, died at the age of 100. Clark, who received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in 2012, died at the age of 100, March 16, 2017 at a Veterans Administration hospital in Menlo Park.
Clark was serving as a steward first class aboard the Aaron Ward when Japanese kamikazes attacked the destroyer near Okinawa in May 1945. “They would guide those planes directly into the ships,” Clark said of the aircraft he described as “flying bombs” during a 2011 interview with the Associated Press.
Six kamikazes hit the destroyer, with the blast from one plane so powerful that it blew Clark all the way across the ship. Although the attack broke his collarbone, Clark dragged many servicemen to safety and extinguished a fire that would have otherwise destroyed the ship. As reward for his actions, the ship’s captain provided him with additional leave and ensured he would deploy to sea again. Clark did not receive any public recognition for his actions. He nonetheless continued his Navy service for another 13 years, eventually becoming a chief petty officer before retiring in 1958.
Clark was serving as a steward first class aboard the Aaron Ward when Japanese kamikazes attacked the destroyer near Okinawa in May 1945. “They would guide those planes directly into the ships,” Clark said of the aircraft he described as “flying bombs” during a 2011 interview with the Associated Press.
Six kamikazes hit the destroyer, with the blast from one plane so powerful that it blew Clark all the way across the ship. Although the attack broke his collarbone, Clark dragged many servicemen to safety and extinguished a fire that would have otherwise destroyed the ship. As reward for his actions, the ship’s captain provided him with additional leave and ensured he would deploy to sea again. Clark did not receive any public recognition for his actions. He nonetheless continued his Navy service for another 13 years, eventually becoming a chief petty officer before retiring in 1958.
|
Carl Clark was born in 1916. He joined the Navy in the 1930s, when African Americans were permitted to serve only as mess attendants. Before and during his service in World War II, he experienced segregation while serving on ships.
Clark was serving as a steward first class aboard the Aaron Ward when six Japanese kamikazes attacked and hit the destroyer near Okinawa in May 1945. T he blast from one plane so powerful that it blew Clark across the ship. Clark was credited with saving the lives of several men by dragging them to safety. He also put out a fire in an ammunition locker that could have cracked the vessel in half. 
|
"Carl E. Clark"
|
thank you for your service Carl Clark!
practice may not make you perfect,
but it will make you better- if WE try...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Honored Veterans
|
World War II Marine Veteran
Hershel Williams 2nd Featured June 12, 2022 |
World War II Army Veteran
Clarence Kinzel 1st Featured June 12, 2021 |
thank you for your service!
VETERANS HISTORY
american veterans Military history
Wild Wolf Fine Arts Studio is a veteran owned studio by a self taught artist in the medium of
acrylics using the creative process of art making as a means of support for stress management.
Copyright (c) 2020 Reuben Kenyatta All rights reserved
acrylics using the creative process of art making as a means of support for stress management.
Copyright (c) 2020 Reuben Kenyatta All rights reserved