Joseph J. Clark

Infobox Military Person
name=Joseph J. Clark
born= birth date|1893|11|12
died= death date and age|1971|7|13|1893|11|12


caption=Admiral Joseph J. Clark
nickname=Jocko
placeofbirth=Chelsea, Oklahoma
placeofdeath= St. Albans, New York
placeofburial= Arlington National Cemetery
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Navy
serviceyears=1917-1953
rank= Admiral
unit=
commands=7th Fleet Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77) Task Force 58 Suwannee (ACV-27) Yorktown (CV-10)
battles=World War I World War II Korean War
awards= Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit
relations=
laterwork=
Admiral Joseph James "Jocko" Clark, USN (November 12, 1893 – July 13, 1971) was an admiral in the United States Navy, who commanded aircraft carriers during World War II. A native of Oklahoma, Clark was of Cherokee heritage. He was the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy, in 1917.

During World War II, he commanded the carriers "Suwannee" (ACV-27) and "Yorktown" (CV-10). In 1944 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and given a task group of Task Force 58, which he commanded in the Marianas campaign, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea. His flagship was the "Hornet (CV-12)". On the second day of the battle, with his planes returning after sundown, Clark ordered his ships to light up, allowing most planes to land safely.

During the Korean War, Clark commanded the Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77), and later, as Vice Admiral, the entire 7th Fleet.

Clark retired on December 1, 1953 with the rank of full Admiral. His awards included the Navy Cross, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Korean Order of Military Merit. Admiral Clark died on July 13, 1971 at St. Albans, New York. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Clark's Flag Lieutenant was Clark G.Reynold's uncle, which explains the linkage between the two, and why Reynolds was chosen to co-author Clark's autobiography. [" [http://www.ijnhonline.org/volume5_number3_dec06/review_lambert_reynolds_dec06.html December 2006: Review of his biography of Adm Clark] ", International Journal of Naval History. Retrieved 29 January 2008.]

Namesake

In 1979, the guided-missile frigate USS "Clark" (FFG-11) was named in his honor.

ee also

References

Other References

"Carrier admiral" by J. J. Clark (1893-1971) with Clark G. Reynolds. (1967)

"On the warpath in the Pacific: Admiral Jocko Clark and the fast carriers", by Clark G. Reynolds (2005)

External links

* [http://www.jacklummus.com/Files/Files_R/rear_admiral_joseph_james_jocko_clark.htm Rear Admiral J.J. Jocko Clark] - Biography from JackLummus.com
* [http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jjclark.htm Joseph James Jocko Clark, Admiral, United States Navy] - From ArlingtonCemetery.net