World War II Honoree

Robert Smith Clarke, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Due West, South Carolina

Honored By

Ann Judd

Relationship

Daughter

IN AUGUST 1942, HE LANDED WITH THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION ON GUADALCANAL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST AMERICAN GROUND OFFENSIVE OF THE WAR. AFTER THE GUADALCANAL CAMPAIGN, HE SAW ACTION ON NEW BRITAIN AND PELELIU. LEADING HIS COMPANY DURING THE ASSAULT ON PELELIU, HE WAS SHOT BY A JAPANESE MACHINE GUNNER AND WAS EVENTUALLY EVACUATED. HE RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART.