Although Mr. Clark died on April 19, 1943, he wasn't officially declared dead until April 29, 1944.

Parents: Helen T. (BERRY) and Henry C. CLARK
Sisters: Loeffa, Grace, Uriulnee (not sure of spelling)
Spouse: Annie L. BOOZE
Child: Murlene Audrey CLARK

Mr. Clark was a Boatswain when he retired from the US Navy on Oct 17, 1929 after serving almost 17 years. He received his Second Mate's license (USMM, #49649) two months later in NY on Dec 19, 1929. On May 2, 1934, he applied for and received a Seaman's Protection Certificate (No. 96022). The application for the certificate contains the following information: birth date and place, he was Third Officer on his last ship (SS Robin Luckenback), his complexion was ruddy, his eyes were blue, his hair was brown and he was 5'6" tall with a slight scar on his nose.The photo on the right is a copy of one that is attached to the aforementioned application.
Mr. Clark married Annie L. Booze around 1922-1923, probably in Norfolk, VA.
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U.S. Merchant Marine
Service No: B 2776
Award: Mariners Medal
Address of Record: Norfolk, VA

The SS Robert Gray was one of the first liberty ships built during WWII. Completed in 1942, the ship was owned by Waterman Steamship Co. of Mobile, Alabama and was currently operated by the Army Transportation Service (ATS). The ship had been armed with one 4in, one 3in and 8 20mm guns, and a US Navy Armed Guard Crew would be assigned to maintain and operate them.

In April 1943, Robert Gray was in New York preparing for a voyage to Scotland and England as one of the 67 ships that would make up Convoy HX-234. Her cargo was 8600 tons of 'general war supplies,' including ammunition.

Chief Mate MURLEN HENRY CLARK was on board as the ship (in convoy) left New York on April 12, 1943. During the night of April 13/14, Robert Gray had fallen behind the convoy and was reported missing. In the early hours of the 19th, at approximately 550 miles South of Cape Farewell Greenland, German submarine (U-boat) 108 surfaced and fired a spread of four torpedoes at the Liberty Ship, two of which detonated. The ship fired back, causing the sub to dive. A couple hours later two more torpedoes were fired and one hit Robert Gray's stern, causing ammunition to explode. The ship caught fire and rapidly sank, stern-first.

There were 39 Merchant Mariners and 23 U.S. Naval Armed Guards on board. None survived.

Note: There was, and may still be, some speculation that U-306 was responsible for sinking the Robert Gray on April 23rd. Both accounts can be found online but the general consensus today is that U-108 was responsible.