Life
African American veteran to get medal after 66 years
The captain of the destroyer tried to make up for the slight by giving him extra leave and making sure that he was not sent back to sea, Clark said.
The work in eventually getting him the medal was made more difficult because of the lack of documentation and living witnesses to the attack, Eshoo said, adding that the decision to award the medal was a “Christmas Miracle.”
“It is a singular privilege to be in a position to correct the record for those who have fought to preserve our freedoms,” she said in a statement.
“Carl Clark served our nation during a time when the Navy was deeply segregated and a culture of racism was prevalent. His courage stands as a symbol of the greatness of our nation, and this award, also given to Senator John McCain, calls out Mr. Clark as a true American hero.”
Clark will receive the medal during a ceremony at Moffett Field in Mountain View, California.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
