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Joseph James Clark was born on 12 November 1893 in Chelsea, Oklahoma. Being of Cherokee heritage, he was the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy, where he picked up the nickname "Jocko", in 1918. At the outset of World War II, Clark had command of an an escort carrier, USS Suwanee (CVL 27) in the Atlantic until he was detailed to run the new carrier Yorktown (CV 10). The Yorktown became flagship of Admiral Pownall during the 1943 carrier raids, and Clark and his operations officer Jimmy Flatley had opportunities to draw up fleet-wide attack plans. 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 turn their landing lights on, 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 1 December 1953 with the rank of full Admiral. His awards included the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Korean Order of Military Merit. Admiral Clark died on 13 July 1971 at St. Albans, New York. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
USS Clark (FFG 11) was the first ship named in his honor. |
Bill Gonyo |
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10 June 1979: Bath ME - A port bow view of the guided missile frigate Clark (FFG 11) under construction. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-02688 by Bath Ironworks from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
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19 February 1980: At sea - Aerial stern view of the Clark underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-10706 by Bath Ironworks from the DVIC) |
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19 February 1980: At sea - Aerial port bow view of the Clark underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-10705 by Bath Ironworks from the DVIC) |
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10 February 1981: Bath ME - An elevated bow view of the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate USS Gallery (FFG 26), left, at 70 percent completion. Moored to the left, under construction, is the guided missile frigate USS Jack Williams (FFG 24) and to the right, the Clark. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04581 by Bath Ironworks from the DVIC) |
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10 February 1981: Bath ME - A stern view of the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate USS Gallery (FFG 26), right, at 70 percent completion. Moored to the right, under construction, is the guided missile frigate USS Jack Williams (FFG 24) and to the left, the Clark. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04582 by Bath Ironworks from the DVIC) |
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10 February 1981: Bath ME - Elevated bow view of the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate USS Jack Williams (FFG 24), center, at 80 percent completion. On the left is the USS Gallery (FFG 26). The Clark is on the right and in the background is the USS Flatley (FFG 21). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04497 by Bath Ironworks from the DVIC) |
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10 February 1981: Bath ME - Elevated stern view of the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate USS Jack Williams (FFG 24), center, at 80 percent completion. On the right is the USS Gallery (FFG 26) and the Clark is on the left. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04498 by Bath Ironworks, from the DVIC) |
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1 October 1981: At sea - A starboard bow view of the Clark underway. The ship is returning to her home port of Mayport, Fla., following a three-week Caribbean cruise. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-82-01152 from the DVIC) |
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15 May 1982: Barcelona, Spain - Taken during a Med deployment, prior to installation of Phalanx. |
Fabio Peņa |
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14 October 1986: At sea - A silhouetted port beam view of the Clark underway. (US Navy photo, DVID #DN-SC-87-04533 by William F. Starr from the DVIC) |
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30 September 1987: Philadelphia PA - Photo of Clark at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, while serving as a Naval Reserve training ship. (Photo by Ed Zajkowski) |
Ed Zajkowski |
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28 April 1989: At sea - A starboard beam view of the Clark, part of the battle group accompanying the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV 59), as it steams for New York City to participate in Fleet Week '89. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-09244 by PHCM Dittmar from the DVIC) |
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29 April 1989: New York Harbor - The Clark and other US Navy ships pass the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV 59) as the vessels arrive for Navy Fleet Week activities. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-09360 by PHC Ed Bailey from the DVIC) |
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4 May 1989: New York City NY - The guided missile destroyer USS MacDonough (DDG 39), left, and the Clark lie tied up together at the Manhattan Passenger Terminal during Fleet Week. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-09496 by JO2 John Leone from the DVIC) |
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1 February 1990: At sea - An SH-2F Seasprite helicopter of Light Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 94 (HSL-94) is serviced on the helicopter deck of the Clark. The two craft have been deployed from Naval Reserve units for use under Coast Guard command in drug-smuggling interdiction efforts. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-05638 by JOC Rich Beth, USNR-R, from the DVIC) |
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1 February 1990: At sea - An SH-2F Seasprite helicopter of Light Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 94 (HSL-94) is washed on the helicopter deck of the Clark. The two craft have been deployed from Naval Reserve units for use under Coast Guard command in drug-smuggling interdiction efforts. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-05634 by JOC Rich Beth, USNR-R, from the DVIC) |
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3 October 1990: At sea - Members of Helicopter Light Anti-submarine Squadron 94 (HSL 94) pose for a group photograph beside an SH-2F Seasprite helicopter aboard the Clark. The men are taking part in a drug interdiction operation. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-91-00200 by JOC Rich Beth, USNR-R, from the DVIC) |
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1992: Philadelphia PA - Taken on Family Day at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard |
Richard Smith |
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1992: Philadelphia PA - Taken on Family Day at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard |
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1 April 1993: NavSta Mayport FL - The large harbor tug Shabonee (YTB 833) assists the guided missile frigate Clark into port. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-93-03763 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC) |
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22 October 1994: Port Everglades FL - A starboard bow view of the Naval Reserve Force guided missile frigate USS Clark (FFG 11) tied up at the municipal pier during a port visit. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-96-00048 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC) |
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14 July 1995: at Zeebrugge, for Belgian Navy Day 1995 (Photo & Collection, Paolo Marsan, Bray Dunes, France) |
Paolo Marsan |
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27 October 1997: Den Helder Naval Base, the Netherlands - Clark holds "Open House" for local visitors while celebrating Navy Day in the Netherlands. |
Pieter Bakels |
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Clark underway, date / location unknown |
Robert Hurst |
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15 March 2000: Norfolk VA - The U.S. crew departs and a Polish sailor stands ready to hoist his nation's flag as USS Clark (FFG 11) is decommissioned and transferred to the Polish navy after 20 years of service in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The ship will become the second-largest in the Polish navy. (US Navy photo #000315-N-5830P-501 by Christopher Pastol) |
Fabio Peņa |
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21 June 2004: Faslane, Scotland - Gen. Kazimierz Pulaski departing Faslane Naval Base. |
Robert Hurst |
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late 2005: Faslane, Scotland - Gen. Kazimierz Pulaski approaching Faslane Naval Base. |
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19 February 2006 - Polish Navy Perry class frigate ORP Gen. Kazimierz Pulaski (272), ex-USS Clark (FFG 11) at Malta together with other NATO warships. |
Anthony Vella
Senglea, Malta |
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April 2006: Gen. Kazimierz Pulaski on the river Scheldt, entering the port of Antwerp as part of the StaNavForLant group visiting until 18 April. |
Flor Van Otterdyk,
Antwerp, Belgium |
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14 April 2006: the Polish frigate General Kazimierz Pulaski moored next to USS Simpson in Antwerp on this very windy and rainy Good Friday. |
