| Joseph J. Clark | |
|---|---|
Admiral Joseph J. Clark |
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| Nickname | Jocko |
| Born | November 12, 1893 Chelsea, Oklahoma |
| Died | July 13, 1971 (aged 77) St. Albans, New York |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1917-1953 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | 7th Fleet Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77) Task Force 58 Suwannee (ACV-27) Yorktown (CV-10) |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit |
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 a member of the Cherokee tribe. 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 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. Reynolds' uncle, which explains the linkage between the two, and why Reynolds was chosen to co-author Clark's autobiography.[1]
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Clark's nickname originated at the Naval Academy: on one of his first days there, Clark was standing in ranks when a classmate called out "The Right Reverend J. Jonathan Jockey Clark!"[2]
In 1979, the guided-missile frigate USS Clark (FFG-11) was named in his honor.