Lawrence Arthur Clark

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lawrence Arthur Clark, Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign], U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-THREE (VF-83), embarked from the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Kyushu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Intercepting a hostile fighter plane diving on one of our combatant vessels, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Clark pursued this enemy craft through violent maneuvers at low altitude in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and downed the plane only a few hundred feet from its target. By his expert airmanship and excellent fighting spirit, he averted possible loss of life and damage to one of our ships and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0516 (June 4, 1945)