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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Joseph James Clark (NSN: 0-17006), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander Task Group FIFTY EIGHT POINT ONE (TG-58.1), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Tokyo Area and the Ryukyus, and in supporting operations at Okinawa, from 10 February to 29 May 1945. Maintaining his Task Group in a high state of combat readiness, Rear Admiral Clark skillfully deployed the forces at his disposal for maximum effectiveness against the enemy. Directing operations with brilliant and forceful leadership, he was responsible for the swift interception of Japanese air groups flying in to attack our surface units and by his prompt and accurate decisions, effected extensive and costly destruction in enemy planes thereby minimizing the danger to our ships and personnel. As a result of his bold and aggressive tactics against hostile surface units on 24 and 28 March, the planes of Task Group FIFTY EIGHT POINT ONE launched a fierce aerial attack against a convoy of eight enemy ships near the Ryukyu Islands to sink the entire convoy during the first engagement and a hostile destroyer and destroyer escort in the second. Courageous and determined in combat, Rear Admiral Clark served as an inspiration to the officers and men of his command and his successful fulfillment of a vital mission contributed essentially to the ultimate defeat of the Japanese Empire.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Division:

    Task Group 58.1

    Action Date:

    August 4, 1944
    Commander First Carrier Task Force: Serial 0462 (August 25, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Joseph James Clark (NSN: 0-17006), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of Task Group 58.1, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Bonin Islands, on 4 August 1944. Informed that an enemy convoy had been sighted proceeding on a northerly course from the Bonins to Japan, Rear Admiral Clark immediately organized and led a powerful force to intercept the hostile vessels before their vital cargoes could be delivered. Proceeding at high speed in pursuit of the convoy, he unhesitatingly entered waters dangerously close to strong Japanese home bases and, establishing contact with the enemy, directed his warships in pressing home a vigorous and superbly executed attack. Under Rear Admiral Clark’s fearless and aggressive leadership, the surface ships sent down five cargo vessels, four destroyer escorts and one large destroyer, while aircraft launched on his order, searched for targets within 200 miles of Japan and blasted three enemy planes out of the sky, seriously damaging a destroyer and sinking three sampan-type patrol vessels, a light cruiser and an additional destroyer. Maintaining a high standard of fighting efficiency in his Task Group throughout this engagement, Rear Admiral Clark, by his outstanding professional skill, great personal courage and brilliant tactics, inspired his command to exceptional performance of duty in close proximity to strongly-held Japanese bases, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    October 7, 1951 – December 1, 1953

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Joseph James Clark (NSN: 0-17006), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander SEVENTH Fleet from 20 May 1952 to 1 December 1953, and for prior service as Commander Carrier Division THREE and Commander Task Force SEVENTY-SEVEN from 7 October to 29 November 1951. Vice Admiral Clark was singularly outstanding in the performance of these duties. He consistently demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership and administrative acumen by organizing and maintaining at peak efficiency the diverse elements which comprised his command. He exhibited the utmost tact and diplomatic skill in his relationship with the other branches of the military service, allied military components of the friendly participating nations and civilian representatives of the governments concerned. His adeptness in handling matters of a potentially sensitive nature was of the highest order with the result that an unusually high degree of cooperation and unity of purpose was engendered among those with whom he served. Though a large part of his time was devoted to conducting sustained tactical operations against the enemy in Korea, and in rendering valuable support to the Formosa Patrol, he showed great resourcefulness and propensity in personally acquainting himself with the detailed operations, problems and achievements of all units involved. Despite the manifold aspects and the magnitude of his assignment, he exercised keen discernment and broad professional ability throughout. His exemplary devotion to duty reflected great credit upon his distinguished record as a Naval Officer and upon the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral [then Captain]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10)

    Action Date:

    August 31 – December 5, 1943
    Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 77 (October 26, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Joseph James Clark (NSN: 0-17006), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-10), during operations against enemy-held islands in the Central Pacific Area, from 31 August 1943 to 5 December 1943. Skillfully handling his ship during these widespread and extended operations, Rear Admiral Clark enabled aircraft based on his carrier to launch damaging attacks on enemy aircraft, shipping and shore installations on Marcus, Make, Jaluit, Makin, Kwajalein and Wotje Islands. During the day and night of 4 December 1943, when the YORKTOWN was under severe enemy attack almost continuously for one five-hour period at night, he maneuvered his vessel so expertly that all attacks were repelled without damage. By his devotion to duty throughout, he contributed materially to the success of our forces and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    March 24 – 28, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01112 (July 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral Joseph James Clark (NSN: 0-17006), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Task Group of the Fast Carrier Task Forces during the period from 24 March to 28 March 1945. On 24 March, he aggressively attacked a Japanese convoy of eight ships near the Ryukyu Islands. By swift decisive action he directed planes of the Task Group so that they were able to sink the entire convoy. On 28 March a sweep of Southern Ruykyu was initiated by the Task Group Commander and resulted in the destruction of one Japanese destroyer and a destroyer escort, in addition to numerous Japanese aircraft. His quick thinking, careful planning and fighting spirit were responsible for a maximum of damage done to the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Clark is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    April – June 1944
    Commander Fast Carrier Task Force: Serial 00314 (July 13, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Joseph James Clark (NSN: 0-17006), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of a Task Group of Carriers and Screening Vessels in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Area from April through June 1944. Participating in our amphibious invasion of Hollandia on 21 to 24 April, Rear Admiral Clark’s well-coordinated and highly efficient units rendered invaluable assistance to our landing forces in establishing a beachhead and securing their positions and later, at the Japanese stronghold of Truk, helped to neutralize shore installations and planes both on the ground and in the air. By his keen foresight and resourcefulness, Rear Admiral Clark contributed in large measure to the overwhelming victories achieved by our forces against Japanese carrier-based aircraft, task units and convoys during the battle of the Marianas and attacks on the Bonin Islands. His indomitable fighting spirit and heroic leadership throughout this vital period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    May 20, 1952 – December 1, 1953
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 17 (March 8, 1954)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Joseph James Clark (NSN: 0-17006), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander SEVENTH Fleet from 20 May 1952 to 1 December 1953.