Colonel Harry Ainsworth Clark Jr., U.S. Army (Retired), passed away on December 14, 2010, at the age of 93.
He was born i n North Andover, Massachusetts on March 21, 1917, to Colonel (Medical Doctor) Harry A. Clark Sr. and Grace Urban Clark. He and his sister Barbara Clark Humphreys, grew up as "Army brats," accompanying their parents on assignments to Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, Newport, Rhode Island, The Philippine Islands, Marfa, Texas and Fort Bliss, Texas.
Colonel Clark graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, Texas in 1934, and the New Mexico Military Institute Junior College in 1936.
He accepted a commission in the Cavalry, U.S. Army, in 1939, and served his initial active duty assignment at Fort Meade, South Dakota. There he met and married Frances Smith Tully, the daughter of Colonel (later Brigadier General) and Mrs. Joseph M. Tully, Commander of the 4th Cavalry Regiment.
During World War II, then Major Clark, age 25, served as the Squadron Executive Officer of the 24th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Group. While he was away his wife and her mother moved back to San Antonio, their hometown, to await their husbands' return. During combat operations in France, Major Clark was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart. In July 1944, he was awarded the Silver Star for leading a successful attack against a German unit defending a bridge.
During the Korean War, then Lieutenant Colonel Clark, commanded the 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (nickname - "Manchus") in the 2d Infantry Division. He was awarded a second Silver Star for his actions on the night of March 1st, 1953, when he led a counterattack against a Chinese Army force that had overrun several American defensive positions. At a critical moment in the fight, while under intense artillery fire, he entered a burning bunker and pulled a wounded soldier to safety. On the night of March 16th, 1953, he led another counterattack against a Chinese Army force that had penetrated the front lines of his battalion. His heroism inspired his battalion to repulse the attack and restore the front lines. He was severely wounded in the fight and was awarded a second Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award for valor. He was evacuated to a field hospital, then to Japan, and finally to Fort Benning, Georgia where he spent eighteen months recuperation form his wounds. His injuries left him unable to lead combat arms units, so he became a logistician and held key logistical positions for the rest of his distinguished career. He was promoted to Colonel in 1961, and went on to serve as the III Corps G4 (Chief of Logistics for the largest armored corps in the U.S. Army) at Fort Hood, Texas in his last assignment on active duty.
He retired from the Army in 1968, and settled in San Antonio.
In retirement, Colonel Clark earned a Master of Arts Degree in history from Trinity University, and then taught American History at San Antonio College for about fifteen years. He thoroughly enjoyed his years as a professor and his many days playing golf with friends at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Course.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
He loved music and poetry, and although Alzheimer's disease stole his short term memory, he never lost his ability to sing his favorite songs and recite limericks and poetry. At every family gathering, he delighted us all with "The Old Armchair" and "The Yarn of the Nancy Belle."
Our family lost a beloved patriarch and the nation has lost a courageous and selfless Soldier.
Colonel Clark is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances T. Clark, of San Antonio, their eldest daughter Catherine C. Wiles and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Roger L. Wiles, of Enid, Oklahoma; son Harry A. Clark III and his wife, Augusta, of San Antonio; Lt. General Robert T. Clark and his wife, Karen of San Antonio; daughter Sarah Johns and her husband, Tommy, of Sandpoint, Idaho; son Colonel Stephen M. Clark and wife Ellen of Fairfax, VA; son Colonel (Retired) David L. Clark and his wife, Ja Young, of San Antonio; son Thomas J. Clark and his wife, Marilynne, of Houston; eighteen grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
FUNERAL SERVICE
DODD FIELD CHAPEL-FORT SAM HOUSTON
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2010
12:45 P.M.
INTERMENT IN
FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS
Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Major Andrew C. Wiles, Robert T. Clark, Jr., Christopher D. Clark, Lieutenant Paul K. Wiles, Timothy A. Clark, Captain Stephen S. Clark, Philip T. Clark, Bradley T. Clark, Andrew Johns, Willis L. Clark and Vance T. Clark.
In lieu of flowers, the Clark family has requested that those who wish to do so may make donations to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund at One Intrepid Square, New York, NY.
Colonel Harry Ainsworth Clark Jr., U.S. Army (Retired), passed away on December 14, 2010, at the age of 93.
He was born i n North Andover, Massachusetts on March 21, 1917, to Colonel (Medical Doctor) Harry A. Clark Sr. and Grace Urban Clark. He and his sister Barbara Clark Humphreys, grew up as "Army brats," accompanying their parents on assignments to Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, Newport, Rhode Island, The Philippine Islands, Marfa, Texas and Fort Bliss, Texas.
Colonel Clark graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, Texas in 1934, and the New Mexico Military Institute Junior College in 1936.
He accepted a commission in the Cavalry, U.S. Army, in 1939, and served his initial active duty assignment at Fort Meade, South Dakota. There he met and married Frances Smith Tully, the daughter of Colonel (later Brigadier General) and Mrs. Joseph M. Tully, Commander of the 4th Cavalry Regiment.
During World War II, then Major Clark, age 25, served as the Squadron Executive Officer of the 24th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Group. While he was away his wife and her mother moved back to San Antonio, their hometown, to await their husbands' return. During combat operations in France, Major Clark was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart. In July 1944, he was awarded the Silver Star for leading a successful attack against a German unit defending a bridge.
During the Korean War, then Lieutenant Colonel Clark, commanded the 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (nickname - "Manchus") in the 2d Infantry Division. He was awarded a second Silver Star for his actions on the night of March 1st, 1953, when he led a counterattack against a Chinese Army force that had overrun several American defensive positions. At a critical moment in the fight, while under intense artillery fire, he entered a burning bunker and pulled a wounded soldier to safety. On the night of March 16th, 1953, he led another counterattack against a Chinese Army force that had penetrated the front lines of his battalion. His heroism inspired his battalion to repulse the attack and restore the front lines. He was severely wounded in the fight and was awarded a second Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award for valor. He was evacuated to a field hospital, then to Japan, and finally to Fort Benning, Georgia where he spent eighteen months recuperation form his wounds. His injuries left him unable to lead combat arms units, so he became a logistician and held key logistical positions for the rest of his distinguished career. He was promoted to Colonel in 1961, and went on to serve as the III Corps G4 (Chief of Logistics for the largest armored corps in the U.S. Army) at Fort Hood, Texas in his last assignment on active duty.
He retired from the Army in 1968, and settled in San Antonio.
In retirement, Colonel Clark earned a Master of Arts Degree in history from Trinity University, and then taught American History at San Antonio College for about fifteen years. He thoroughly enjoyed his years as a professor and his many days playing golf with friends at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Course.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
He loved music and poetry, and although Alzheimer's disease stole his short term memory, he never lost his ability to sing his favorite songs and recite limericks and poetry. At every family gathering, he delighted us all with "The Old Armchair" and "The Yarn of the Nancy Belle."
Our family lost a beloved patriarch and the nation has lost a courageous and selfless Soldier.
Colonel Clark is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances T. Clark, of San Antonio, their eldest daughter Catherine C. Wiles and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Roger L. Wiles, of Enid, Oklahoma; son Harry A. Clark III and his wife, Augusta, of San Antonio; Lt. General Robert T. Clark and his wife, Karen of San Antonio; daughter Sarah Johns and her husband, Tommy, of Sandpoint, Idaho; son Colonel Stephen M. Clark and wife Ellen of Fairfax, VA; son Colonel (Retired) David L. Clark and his wife, Ja Young, of San Antonio; son Thomas J. Clark and his wife, Marilynne, of Houston; eighteen grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
FUNERAL SERVICE
DODD FIELD CHAPEL-FORT SAM HOUSTON
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2010
12:45 P.M.
INTERMENT IN
FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS
Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Major Andrew C. Wiles, Robert T. Clark, Jr., Christopher D. Clark, Lieutenant Paul K. Wiles, Timothy A. Clark, Captain Stephen S. Clark, Philip T. Clark, Bradley T. Clark, Andrew Johns, Willis L. Clark and Vance T. Clark.
In lieu of flowers, the Clark family has requested that those who wish to do so may make donations to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund at One Intrepid Square, New York, NY.
Inscription
COL US ARMY
WWII KOREA
DSC
SIVER STAR
& OLC
PH & OLC
HUSBAND FATHER
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
