PHILIP S. CLARK, JR., LCDR, USN
Philip Clark, Jr. '68
Lucky Bag
From the 1968 Lucky Bag:
PHILIP SPRATT CLARK, JR.
Riverside, California
From Riverside Poly High, Riverside, California, "Flip," an Air Force brat, came already determined to fly Navy jets. Well liked by all who knew him. Flip possessed a distinct ability to not let the rigors of the system bother him. However in academics he seemed dormant, but persistence eked him through. By youngster year Flip's chief interests turned to those hours of bliss in bed and illegal culinary artistry. He was active in intramural sports, excelling in soccer. Flip's hobbies included dreaming of his ultimate goal of a career in Naval Aviation. That part of the Naval Service will gain a most valuable and loyal officer upon Flip's graduation.
PHILIP SPRATT CLARK, JR.
Riverside, California
From Riverside Poly High, Riverside, California, "Flip," an Air Force brat, came already determined to fly Navy jets. Well liked by all who knew him. Flip possessed a distinct ability to not let the rigors of the system bother him. However in academics he seemed dormant, but persistence eked him through. By youngster year Flip's chief interests turned to those hours of bliss in bed and illegal culinary artistry. He was active in intramural sports, excelling in soccer. Flip's hobbies included dreaming of his ultimate goal of a career in Naval Aviation. That part of the Naval Service will gain a most valuable and loyal officer upon Flip's graduation.
Loss
From Find A Grave:
Lieutenant Clark was a member of Attack Squadron 113, Carrier Wing 2 aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS RANGER (CVA-61). On December 24, 1972, he was the pilot of a Vought Attack Aircraft Attack Corsair II (A-7E) with the mission of mining the Chateau Renard Channel, Quang Ninh Province, North Vietnam when his aircraft was shot down. He parachuted safely but was declared missing. His remains were recovered on November 3, 1988 and identified on February 17, 1989. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
From the POW Network organization:
Lt.Cdr. Phillip S. Clark, Jr. was a pilot assigned to Attack Squadron 113 onboard the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CVA-61). On December 24, 1972, he launched in his A7E "Corsair" as the number two aircraft in a flight of three. Their mission was to mine the Chateau Renaud Channel, Quang Ninh Province, North Vietnam at a point approximately 1/4 nautical mile off the northwestern tip of Ile Rousse.
Low ceilings and reduced visibility necessitated individual attacks into the heavily defended target area. On making individual runs into the target area the number three aircraft saw a parachute floating down through the clouds and heard an emergency radio beeper just prior to bomb release. A momentary emergency radio transmission was heard saying, "I'm in the water with two A-6s passing overhead". This was followed by 2-3 unintelligible transmissions and then then one-way radio contact was lost.
Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts were initiated immediately but were severely hampered by bad weather conditions and approaching darkness. Numerous fishing boats were seen in the general loss location. SAR efforts were terminated on the third day with negative results.
Remembrances
From Wall of Faces:
I flew a 3.5 hour search mission looking for 'Flip' on a dismal, gray Xmas day in 1972. We were the only airplane airborne in North Yankee Station - an eerie silence on the airwaves. We called his call sign over and over hoping to raise him on his survival radio. No contact
The North fired a SAM at us at extreme range. A wasted effort but we were not inclined to approach any closer over an overcast. If he had been able to answer, we would have heard him.
We returned to Ranger, just in time for Christmas music over the loud speakers and a special dinner. It was impossible to make the shift and join in.
I think of him often. BRUCE LAUGHTON, BLAUGHN@HOTMAIL.COM, 11/12/11
Photographs
Family
Philip was survived by his paternal grandmother, Florrie Clark; parents Philip and Harriet; a son, Terence Clark '90, and Sylvester L. Clark (aka Shannon L. Summers/Shannon L. Clark).
Only a few months before leaving for deployment, Philip's wife, Sheryl Ann Taylor, died of cancer (on December 26, 1971). He perished almost exactly a year later, on December 24, 1972.
Related Articles
Philip's son, Terence Clark '90, was also killed in the line of duty.
Garwood Bacon '68 and Daniel Still '68 were also in 5th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
