Thomas Edward Clark
Tom Clark graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1963, after having already spent two years at Penn State University. He was sometimes referred to as an “old man” at the Academy. He was interested in politics and flying and looked forward to a military career.
Nearly 6 years after his graduation, Tom Clark was flying a mission in Laos over the Ho Chi Minh Trail just northwest of the DMZ when his F-100D aircraft was shot down. Circumstances surrounding his crash indicate that the enemy probably knows his fate, but in 1973, Tom was not released with other POWs.
Major Clark’s remains were recovered and identified on June 29, 201, and he was repatriated on October 20, 2011. Major Clark is memorialized at Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial and is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 33w, Line 84. He is also listed on the F-100 Super Sabre Plaque at the USAFA.
Sources: HonorStates.org; pownetwork.org; findagrave.com
Units Assigned
- 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron/31st Tactical Fighter Wing/7th Air Force, Phu Cat AB, Vietnam (F-100)
Awards & Decorations
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
United States Aviator Badge Air Force
Flight Info
F-100
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- 1963 USAFA
Civilian Education:
- Penn State University
