Black WWII Hero, unrecognized for 60 years, dies at 100

[Stinky The Clown]

Carl Clark was a Navy Steward on the USS Aaron Ward, a destroyer, in World War II. They came under a withering kamikaze attack. He was thrown across the ship and suffered a broken collar bone. That didn't stop him from pulling a number of shipmates out the fires, saving their lives. He also contributed to stemming the damage and saving the ship from a magazine explosion, am even that would have surely sunk the ship.

The captain thanked him personally, but the account of his actions were omitted from the official record because of "that vicious bigotry". He later served two terms in the brig for "acting like a white man."

After his story came to light in 2012 - almost by accident - he was finally recognized and decorated for his action. He will be honored at Arlington.

This is a link to an NBC video telling the whole story in TV/Reader's Digest form. They will force you to watch a 30 second ad. I think the video is worth that.

http://www.today.com/video/life-well-lived-wwii-hero-carl-clark-dies-at-100-912160323836

The San Jose Mercury News has the story: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/31/east-palo-alto-veteran-whose-heroic-deeds-went-unrecognized-for-six-decades-dead-at-100/

Here is the HuffPo from 2012: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/18/carl-clark-black-navy-vet-awarded-medal-66-years-later_n_1212188.html

Google it for other links.

[lpbk2713]

1. Fair winds and following seas.

Thank you for your service Chief.

[malaise]

2. Institutional racism continues to destroy America

[Dustlawyer]

10. So true!

I used to think things were much better for blacks than they had been. Sure there is still a long way to go, but look where they have been.

I said that because as a young baby lawyer I was sent along with 25 other attorneys to defend our asbestos clients and taking the depositions of 300 former Exxon Baytown, Texas refinery workers from the WW I, WW II and the years following. In an asbestos deposition you question the witnesses from birth to present to find out where all they may have been exposed to asbestos or other cancer causing agents. The names change but the testimony is usually pretty much the same.

At this refinery outside of Houston in the 20's -70's a white worker would start off in the Labor Gang digging ditches, loading and unloading rail cars and ships, and any other physical or nasty job at the plant. The white worker would be in the labor gang for anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months until one of the trades (electricians, carpenters, welders, blasters...) would agree to pick him up and train him. The black worker would start in the labor gang and would then go to the warehouse when he got too old to do the work in the labor gang.

As the other young attorneys and myself saw the pattern develop we were shocked. Most of these defense attorneys were/are Republican, but they learned that summer we did those depositions that racism was real!

I lasted 9 months as an insurance defense attorney before I switched to becoming a plaintiff's attorney. I took a big pay cut but I was able to sleep much better knowing I was not defending murderers.

I said at the beginning that I USED to think things were better for blacks now than back in the day. I do not believe that now. The blowback from having the first black President has been nothing short of horrendous. We still have institutional racism in our public schools and hiring practices. Trump and his daddy were found to be perpetuating the housing discrimination against minorities in NY. Trump is a huge racist! Putin has a lot to answer for and I hope we can help the opposition that is growing in Russia so this will all backfire on him.

[malaise]

11. Nice post

Despite the blowback I think we've made lots of strides. The thing is the majority find racism offensive. That is a change.

And yes The Con is a huge racist and so are many other ReTHUGs

[Submariner]

3. Sailor Rest Your Oars

and Rest In Peace.

Had he been in the Submarine Service of WWII, he would have been treated better.

[marybourg]

4. As anything other than

a mess steward or engine crew?

[Lithos]

8. History Lesson

The US Military was not generally integrated until post 1947. Yes, WW 2 service history helped a lot, but it took several years before Truman was able to make good on the debt collected during the war.

To Submariner's point of experience, the Subs have of late been much better focused on skill and talent than color or sex. Unfortunately in WW 2 they Subs probably did not have blacks on board, but that was because there sailors were expected to fulfill multiple MOS on board - a function to which blacks were excluded. Thankfully Submariners have moved beyond this and lead the way.

To this hero's point, a hero is a hero. I think today's military is very proud to call this sailor as one of their own. And that is the important point - we've moved on and are able to recognize a hero for being a hero - no matter the race, gender or sexual orientation.

L-

[Submariner]

14. Maybe no more than a Steward or a Deck Crew line handler/rust chipper/painter

During WWII it was mostly Filipinos who were the stewards, with very few Blacks I was told by the old timer Chiefs.

[shenmue]

5. ...

[luvMIdog]

6. Rest in peace

[Enoki33]

7. Gave so much and asked so little. A life well lived indeed.

[MichMan]

9. Why didnt FDR integrate the services?

FDR had the perfect opportunity to integrate the services after the US entered WWII. Public sentiment for he war effort was unprecedented. Yet he refused to do so and left it up to Truman .

[sarge43]

13. First: The Dixiecrats would have revolted which they did against Truman.

Second: Take a look at the officer corps, especially the birds and flags, WWII. Most were from the South. Segregation was a way of life to them.

Third: Noncom rule -- don't issue an order that can not be enforced. Sure, Truman got rid of the de jure restrictions; the de factos lasted well into the 60's and early 70's. White men got the fast track jobs and choice duties; minorities and women got the left overs. It took the Civil Rights movement, a couple of court cases and the end of the draft for DoD to get the Come to Jesus briefing. In short, the military is a subset of the whole society. It won't shift until civilians knock it off.

[bpj62]

12. Air Force

With the creation of the Air Force as a separate military force in 1947 Truman was able to integrate the services so that blacks served in the same units as whites. There was no way during the war that Roosevelt could have integrated the services without a major push back from the military. The Tuskegee Airman are a perfect example of this. Their record of protecting the bombers of the 15th Airforce is a major reason why the Airforce was integrated from its inception. Racism still occurred but rank was rank.