Clark (FFG 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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ADMIRAL CLARK

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USS CLARK FFG 11 1982

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ADMIRAL JOSEPH J. JOCKO CLARK Part Cherokee, part Southern Methodist, but all fighter. Admiral Joseph James (Jocko) Clark, bold aircraft carrier commander and World War II hero, was thus described by Navy historian Samuel Eliot Morison. The legendary admiral forged a distinguished reputation as a fearless, aggressive leader and brilliant tactician during a 40 year career from service as deck officer to pilot to fleet commander. Admiral Clark served as executive officer of the USS YORKTOWN; then he was designated the first commanding officer of two new carriers: USS SUWANEE and the new USS YORKTOWN. Later during World War II he commanded a carrier task group. During the Korean war he commanded TASK FORCE 77, and was eventually assigned as Commander of the Seventh Fleet. During World War I Admiral Clark served on board the cruiser USS NORTH CAROLINA on Atlantic convoy duty. Subsequently he served on board the USS AARON WARD which was built at the Bath Iron Works as was the ship that bears his name. Admiral Clark assumed Command of the destroyer USS BROOKS in 1921. In 1925 he was designated a Naval Aviator, and thus commenced the chapter of his career in which he helped to pioneer developments in aviation tactics and dotrine that eventually proved successful in World War II. He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the basis of the many citations he received in combat during World War XL Admiral Clark retired from active duty on December 1, 1953. He died July 13, 1971, in St. Albans, New York. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Arthur W. Radford, had this to say of his departed shipmate and friend: His is a quality not to be forgotten or lost as American youth today takes up the good fight where we left off.