Henry Eugene Clark

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Henry Eugene Clark, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Torpedo Bombing Squadron SEVENTEEN (VTB-17), embarked from the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Kure Bay Area of Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Braving intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Clark led his division in a glide-bombing run against major units of the Japanese Fleet and, scoring a direct hit on a heavy cruiser with one of his bombs, contributed materially to the success of his squadron. Lieutenant Clark’s skilled airmanship, courage and devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0526 (May 4, 1945)