World War II Honoree

Charles E. Clark, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

St. Petersburg, Florida

Honored By

James S. Elder

Relationship

Friend

ENTERED IN 1942. ATTENDED PREFLIGHT SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA IN ATHENS. LEARNED TO FLY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI WHERE HE WAS DISMISSED FROM THE CADET PROGRAM AFTER A NEAR DEATH AIRPLANE CRASH. FOLLOWING THIS, HE BECAME A VOLUNTEER INDUCTEE IN THE 9TH AIR FORCE TROOP CARRIER COMMAND. THIS WAS THE 88TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON THAT SPEARHEADED THE NORMANDY INVASION. DROPPED THE FIRST PARATROOPERS AND GLIDERS. THE OUTFIT LATER RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AND 7 CAMPAIGN MEDALS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS SERGEANT FROM FORT DIX IN 1943.