Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Douglas
Alan
Clark

Douglas Clark graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1940. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 30 (VF-30)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24)

    Action Date:

    February 17 – March 1, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 360 (February 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Douglas Alan Clark, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Acting Commander, Air Group THIRTY, and Acting Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron THIRTY (VF-30), embarked in U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), over the Bonin and Nansei Shoto Islands from 17 February to 1 March 1945.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 30 (VF-30)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Belleau Wood (CVL-24)

    Action Date:

    March 21, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Douglas Alan Clark, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Flight Leader in Fighting Squadron THIRTY (VF-30), attached to the U.S.S. BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Japanese Home Islands on 21 March 1945. Leading a combat air patrol protecting the Task Force, Lieutenant Commander Clark directed his squadron in a devastating attack on a large enemy bomber formation despite the presence of high enemy fighter cover. Although his flight was greatly outnumbered by the enemy, he personally shot down one hostile fighter and damaged another, thereby aiding in turning back the threat to the security of our Task Force and contributing to the destruction of the enemy bombers without the loss of a single friendly plane. His airmanship, courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.