Howard Franklin Clark

Howard Franklin Clark
Howard Franklin Clark
Born	September 15, 1914; Wilmington, Delaware
Died	May 8, 1942 (aged 27); at sea Coral Sea
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1938-1942
Rank	Lieutenant (j.g.)
Unit	Fighter Squadron 3 ; Lexington (CV-2)
Battles/wars	World War II; *Battle of the Coral Sea
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross ; (awarded twice)

Howard Franklin Clark was born in Wilmington, Delaware, 15 September 1914.

Navy career

Clark graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy 2 June 1938. He served at sea until 1940, when he underwent flight training. Reporting to aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2) 1 April 1941 as a member of Fighter Squadron 3, he won a Distinguished Flying Cross 20 February 1942 when he brought down an enemy bomber attempting to attack the carrier.

Awarded second Distinguished Flying Cross

During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Clark again and again engaged enemy aircraft, in utter disregard of his own safety, until his plane was shot down. Lieutenant (j.g.) Clark was posthumously awarded a second Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism during the battle, 7–8 May 1942.

Namesake

Howard F. Clark (DE-533) was launched by the Boston Navy Yard 8 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Howard Clark, widow of the namesake; and commissioned at Boston 25 May 1944, Lt. Comdr. E. B. Hayden in command.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.