“I’ve had a couple of close ones. On one mission a piece of ack ack came through the windshield and hit the armour plate just over my shoulder I had my helmet on so I didn’t get hurt. I think I was sorta lucky. I guess we have to expect such things though. I’ve been on several nice profitable raids the past few weeks.”
Capt. Clark to Capt. Blagg - Sept. 6, 1943
Leonard “Johnny” Clark joined the Army in 1940, and transferred to what would soon be the Army Air Corps to start flight training at Brooks Field, Texas. Clark began his aviation career as a test pilot, but was assigned to combat duty where eventually he assumed command of the 403rd, Bomber Squadron, 43rd, Bomb Group, 5th Air Force.
Tokyo Rose nicknamed the 403rd the “Mareeba Butchers”, the only nickname ever bestowed on a military service group by the Japanese broadcaster. Clark flew B-17’s and B-24’s including the aircraft “Wolfpack” and in total, participated in 73 Combat missions against Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater. In 1945, Clark’s plane crashed off Kyushu Japan, breaking his leg. He drifted 6 days at sea waiting for rescue.
During WWII, Clark was awarded multiple commendations and awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
During the Korean War, Clark served as a pilot with the 3906th Combat Support Group, and again was called to serve in the Vietnam War.
He went on to fly air-to-air refueling tankers, in the 70th Air Refueling Squadron (SAC), 384th Bomb Wing, and the 835th Combat Support Group, and flew over 33 different types of aircraft during his military career, retiring in 1968.
Clark accumulated a sizable collection of WWII photographs, aircraft logs, and memorabilia, including a complete photo documentation of the 403rd Bomber Squadron. It was donated by the family to George Mason University
Major Leonard H. Clark passed away July 08, 2003, and is buried at Arlington Cemetery.