Criteria The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States without degree for exceptionally outstanding conduct in the performance of meritorious service to the United States. ... The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States without degree for exceptionally outstanding conduct in the performance of meritorious service to the United States. The performance must merit recognition by individuals in a key position which was performed in a clearly exceptional manner. MoreHide
Comments Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Carlton Howard Clark (NSN: 0-81769), United Stat... Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Carlton Howard Clark (NSN: 0-81769), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services while a Prisoner of War of the Japanese from about October 1942 to 3 December 1943, at Ofuna Naval Interrogation Camp and from 3 December 1943 to 29 August 1945 at Omori Camp. During the first period mentioned Lieutenant Clark was ordered to work in the kitchen at Ofuna Camp and while in Omori Camp, Lieutenant Clark volunteered to take charge of the Prisoners of War working in the camp kitchen. During both these periods, acts of brutality, humiliation, hazing and degradation occurred daily and the diet varied from one of starvation to one of maintenance only. Lieutenant Clark strived to ameliorate the food conditions at both camps despite the obstructions placed in his path by the Japanese and at great personal risk to himself. By his knowledge of Japanese psychology, his constant efforts in an administrative manner and his long daily hours of actual manual labor, the diet of the Prisoners of War was with the existing conditions. His outstanding service and performance of duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: October 1942 - December 3, 1943
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Division: Prisoner of War MoreHide
Criteria The Prisoner of War Medal commemorates military service as a prisoner of war. It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who, since April 5, 1917, has been or shall be taken prisoner or held capt... The Prisoner of War Medal commemorates military service as a prisoner of war. It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who, since April 5, 1917, has been or shall be taken prisoner or held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States in not a belligerent party. MoreHide
Comments Awarded for actions during the World War II
Lieutenant Carlton Howard Clark (NSN: 0-81769), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after his aircraft was shot down on 11 September 1942, and w... Awarded for actions during the World War II
Lieutenant Carlton Howard Clark (NSN: 0-81769), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after his aircraft was shot down on 11 September 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of the war.
General Orders: NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 - 1947
Action Date: September 11, 1942 - 1945
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Division: Prisoner of War (Japan) MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.... The Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor. MoreHide
Comments *CLARK, CARLTON HOWARD (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Carlton Howard Clark, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary herois... *CLARK, CARLTON HOWARD (KIA)
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Carlton Howard Clark, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron ELEVEN (VP-11), in action against the enemy from 5 through 11 September 1942, in the Solomon Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Carlton Howard Clark (NSN: 0-81769), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron ELEVEN (VP-11), in action against the enemy from 5 through 11 September 1942, in the Solomon Islands. On 5 August 1942 piloting 11-P-10, he participated in the seizure of Ndeni. On 6 August 1942, he conducted a 650-mile patrol from Ndeni under adverse weather conditions. He was to return at night but due to zero visibility, he flew an all night radar patrol, conserved fuel and landed at dawn after 18 hours flight. This flight had an important tactical bearing on the situation since our forces moved into the Solomon Islands that morning. On 7 August 1942, without any rest, he made an emergency flight transferring a dying soldier from Ndeni to Efate and at the same time he conducted a search for Lieutenant Flannery's crew in 11-P-13 which had gone down at sea due to bad weather conditions the previous night. On 8 August 1942, he volunteered and continued search for 11-P-13. On 9 August 1942, he conducted aerial reconnaissance of Santo Isabel Island in search of a suspected seaplane fighter base. That evening he was hospitalized for excessive fatigue, having flown a total of 56 hours in four days. On 6 September 1942, while on routing patrol from Ndeni, he intercepted a report from 11-P-5 in his adjacent sector that a four-engine enemy patrol plane had been contacted. Lieutenant Clark immediately proceeded to the scene and joined the other PBY in a determined attack against the Japanese plane with the following results: The enemy plane broke off the engagement with engines smoking and streaming gasoline, 3 Japanese gunners were seriously wounded or killed; 11-P-5 had a punctured fuel tank and a mortally wounded gunner, and Lieutenant Clark's plane received minor structural damage. On returning to base, 11-P-5 was forced down at sea for lack of fuel and Lieutenant Clark rendered invaluable service by reporting the accurate position of 11-P-5 which led to the ultimate rescue of the crew. On 11 September 1942, while on routing patrol from Ndeni, Lieutenant Clark reported that he had contacted an enemy destroyer and cargo ship (no doubt a seaplane tender) 600 miles out and that he was climbing into position for a bombing attack. Then, he reported that he was being attacked by enemy aircraft (probably Zeros on floats) and later the word "down" was intercepted by another plane. The crew has been "missing" since this action.
Action Date: September 5 - 11, 1942
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Patrol Squadron 11 (VP-11) MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Cape Esperance (Second Savo) October 11–12, 1942. The Battle of Cape Esperance, also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island and, in Japanese sources, as the Sea Battle of Savo Island, took place onCape Esperance (Second Savo) October 11–12, 1942. The Battle of Cape Esperance, also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island and, in Japanese sources, as the Sea Battle of Savo Island, took place on 11–12 October 1942, and was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and United States Navy. The battle was the second of four major surface engagements during the Guadalcanal campaign and took place at the entrance to the strait between Savo Island and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Cape Esperance (9°15′S 159°42′E) is the northernmost point on Guadalcanal, and the battle took its name from this point.
On the night of 11 October, Japanese naval forces in the Solomon Islands area—under the command of Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa—sent a major supply and reinforcement convoy to their forces on Guadalcanal. The convoy consisted of two seaplane tenders and six destroyers and was commanded by Rear Admiral Takatsugu Jojima. At the same time, but in a separate operation, three heavy cruisers and two destroyers—under the command of Rear Admiral Aritomo Goto-were to bombard the Allied airfield on Guadalcanal (called Henderson Field by the Allies) with the object of destroying Allied aircraft and the airfield's facilities.
Shortly before midnight on 11 October, a U.S force of four cruisers and five destroyers—under the command of Rear Admiral Norman Scott—intercepted Goto's force as it approached Savo Island near Guadalcanal. Taking the Japanese by surprise, Scott's warships sank one of Goto's cruisers and one of his destroyers, heavily damaged another cruiser, mortally wounded Goto, and forced the rest of Goto's warships to abandon the bombardment mission and retreat. During the exchange of gunfire, one of Scott's destroyers was sunk and one cruiser and another destroyer were heavily damaged. In the meantime, the Japanese supply convoy successfully completed unloading at Guadalcanal and began its return journey without being discovered by Scott's force. Later on the morning of 12 October, four Japanese destroyers from the supply convoy turned back to assist Goto's retreating, damaged warships. Air attacks by U.S. aircraft from Henderson Field sank two of these destroyers later that day.
As with the preceding naval engagements, around Guadalcanal, the strategic outcome was inconsequential because neither the Japanese nor United States navies secured operational control of the waters around Guadalcanal as a result of this action. However, the Battle of Cape Esperance provided a significant morale boost to the US Navy after the disaster of Savo Island.... More
