The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Howard Franklin Clark (NSN: 0-81239), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight, while serving as Pilot of an airplane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy forces in the Pacific War Area when his carrier was attacked by Japanese bombing planes on 20 February 1942. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Clark made vigorous and determined attacks in the face of combined enemy machine gun and cannon fire against a formation of enemy heavy bombers, and he, with the assistance of his teammate, caused the destruction of one enemy bomber.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant, Junior Grade Howard Franklin Clark (NSN: 0-81239), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight, while serving as Pilot of an airplane in Fighting Squadron THREE (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy forces in the Coral Sea on 7 – 8 May 1942. Again and again Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Clark engaged enemy aircraft, in utter disregard of his own safety, until his plane was shot down