Pioneer Aviator. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, he began his career in aviation being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Cavalry Division in 1913, transferred to the Army Signal Corps' aviation section in 1916 and received his wings in 1917. Assigned to 6th Aero Squadron at Fort Kamehameha, Oahu Hawaii, he focused his efforts on learning about the prevailing winds in the islands. On March 15, 1918, he flew to Molokai and back to Fort Kamehameha Oahu, which was the first round trip inter-island flight ever made in the Hawaiian Islands. His next feat was try a three-island flight. Agreeing to take the mail, on May 9, 1918, Clark and mechanic Sergeant Robert Gray took off from Fort Kamehameha Oahu and flew to Maui. After landing in Maui, they continued onto the island of Hawaii, but encountered fog and darkness over the island, causing him to crash in the jungle near Hilo. Two days after the crash, Clark and Gray emerged from the Hawaiian jungle unhurt. Clark delivered the letters, received an enormous welcome from the island's residents and was the first airman to fly the mail in the Hawaiian Islands. Upon his return to the United States, he served at various air fields before being promoted Major and executive officer with the Aviation Section in Panama. He died in a seaplane crash in the Mira Flores Locks, Panama Canal Zone. Clark Air Base in the Philippine Islands is named in his honor.
Pioneer Aviator. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, he began his career in aviation being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Cavalry Division in 1913, transferred to the Army Signal Corps' aviation section in 1916 and received his wings in 1917. Assigned to 6th Aero Squadron at Fort Kamehameha, Oahu Hawaii, he focused his efforts on learning about the prevailing winds in the islands. On March 15, 1918, he flew to Molokai and back to Fort Kamehameha Oahu, which was the first round trip inter-island flight ever made in the Hawaiian Islands. His next feat was try a three-island flight. Agreeing to take the mail, on May 9, 1918, Clark and mechanic Sergeant Robert Gray took off from Fort Kamehameha Oahu and flew to Maui. After landing in Maui, they continued onto the island of Hawaii, but encountered fog and darkness over the island, causing him to crash in the jungle near Hilo. Two days after the crash, Clark and Gray emerged from the Hawaiian jungle unhurt. Clark delivered the letters, received an enormous welcome from the island's residents and was the first airman to fly the mail in the Hawaiian Islands. Upon his return to the United States, he served at various air fields before being promoted Major and executive officer with the Aviation Section in Panama. He died in a seaplane crash in the Mira Flores Locks, Panama Canal Zone. Clark Air Base in the Philippine Islands is named in his honor.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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