The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Frank Alfred Clark (MCSN: 0-58931), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 November 1969, a platoon from Company D was moving through heavily wooded, boulder-strewn terrain in the Que Son Mountains of Quang Nam Province. As the Marines neared the top of a steep incline, they received a heavy volume of small arms and mortar fire from an enemy force concealed on the high ground to their front. When the platoon attempted to assault the numerically superior enemy force entrenched in the terrain above them, several Marines were wounded and the platoon was pinned down. When the remainder of the Company rushed forward to assist the lead platoon, a second enemy force attacked their flank. Rapidly assessing the situation, Lieutenant Colonel Clark directed the heli-lifting of a company-sized reaction force to the high ground dominating the enemy position and personally accompanied the first flight. After disembarking, he led his men into position and then ignored the extremely heavy volume of North Vietnamese small arms and automatic weapons fire as he boldly moved to a vantage point from which he could more clearly observe the tactical situation and formulate a course of action. While skillfully coordinating supporting fire with an attack against the enemy’s rear and flanks, Lieutenant Colonel Clark completely disregarded his own safety as he moved with the assault elements as they crushed the enemy’s resistance, overran the position, and forced the enemy unit to retreat. A search of the area revealed an enemy base camp containing a hospital, command posts, and other facilities. The defeat of the enemy unit resulted in the capture of vast quantities of weapons, ammunition, medical supplies, equipment, food, and valuable documents. By his bold initiative, dynamic leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Lieutenant Colonel Clark upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 1977 – September 1980
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Frank Alfred Clark (MCSN: 0-58931), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Senior United States Marine Corps Advisor to the President, Naval War College and as holder of the H.M. Smith Military Chair of Amphibious Warfare in the Naval Operations Department, Newport, Rhode Island, from August 1977 through September 1980. Throughout this period, Colonel Clark demonstrated sustained superlative performance in both key positions thereby contributing markedly to the success of the College. His extensive operational experience and unique leadership were invaluable in providing substantive support in U.S. Marine Corps related curricula development and wargaming support. Colonel Clark’s exemplary professionalism, resourcefulness, and untiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
August 15, 1969 – July 22, 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Frank Alfred Clark (MCSN: 0-58931), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with the III Marine Amphibious Force in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 15 August 1969 to 22 July 1970. throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Clark performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, he deployed his Battalion over a wide area and planned and supervised the execution of numerous search and destroy operations, ambushes, and patrols which blocked the enemy’s persistent attempts to infiltrate friendly positions. Boldly moving to forward areas, he repeatedly disregarded his own safety as he directed his companies in pursuit of numerically superior enemy forces and coordinated the delivery of supporting arms fires on hostile sanctuaries. Under his dynamic and courageous leadership, his Battalion inflicted severe casualties on the enemy and captured large quantities of food supplies and munitions, including 243 individual and crew-served weapons. Reassigned as Force Staff Secretary on 16 January 1970, Lieutenant Colonel Clark skillfully supervised and coordinated the myriad activities of the general staff and kept his commanding general informed of current and developing tactical situations and of all matters affecting command relationships. In his association with many high ranking civilian and military officials, he was unfailingly courteous and tactful and demonstrated a professional maturity which reflected great credit upon the Marine Corps and was instrumental in the superb rapport enjoyed by his command in relations with other military commands. His extraordinary initiative and determination earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of the mission of the III Marine Amphibious Force. By his leadership, professional acumen, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Clark rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Clark is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
April 1965 – June 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Frank Alfred Clark (MCSN: 0-58931), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific from April 1965 to June 1968. Initially serving as Civil Affairs Officer with the G-1 Section, Lieutenant Colonel Clark, then a Major, demonstrated exceptional organizational ability as he supervised the preparation of directives to organize a massive pacification effort within the Republic of Vietnam. Without benefit of precedent, he instituted standing operating procedures and training programs to support effective civil affairs and civic action programs and supervised the formation of the G-5 Section with cognizance over these rapidly expanding and vital programs. In addition, displaying exceptional initiative and imagination, he developed an original and comprehensive Pacification Progress Reporting System which accurately assessed the results of pacification efforts in the I Corps Tactical Zone and served as a model for similar systems subsequently employed by the Department of Defense. Assigned to a Colonel’s billet as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-5, in April 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Clark continued to serve with distinction in directing and implementing policies which controlled civil affairs and psychological operations in Vietnam. Utilizing his comprehensive knowledge of the pacification effort, he contributed immeasurably to the planning and organization of the Combined Action Group as a means to improve control and coordination of the combined action efforts. By his dynamic leadership, resourcefulness and steadfast devotion to duty throughout, Lieutenant Colonel Clark upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.