Joseph J. Clark

Joseph J. “Jocko” Clark was an admiral in the U.S. Navy. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Clark was Cherokee. In 1917, he became the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy.

During World War I, Clark served on a cruiser convoying troops across the Atlantic. He was designated a naval aviator in 1925. Clark served in numerous posts during the 1920s and 1930s, including positions on board aircraft carriers. He was the commanding officer of Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2) on board USS Lexington (CV-2) and later became that ship’s air officer.

Clark was the executive officer of USS Yorktown (CV-5) when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. During World War II, he commanded the carriers USS Suwannee (CVE-27), which served in the Atlantic, and USS Yorktown (CV-10), which served in the Pacific. In 1944, Clark was promoted to rear admiral and given command of Task Force 58. His flagship was USS Hornet (CV-12).

Clark’s service continued into the Korean War. He retired in 1953 with the rank of admiral. His awards included the Navy Cross, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal and the Legion of Merit. The guided-missile frigate USS Clark (FFG-11), commissioned in 1980, was named in his honor.