Full Admiral Joseph James Clark
Bust of Joseph James Clark, c. 1893 - 1971, bronze, Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Gaylord-Pickens Museum, Portraits and Busts Collection.
Inducted: 1952
Hometown: Pryor, Oklahoma
Branch: United States Navy
From Pryor, Oklahoma, Full Admiral Joseph James Clark was born in 1893 and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1952. In 1917, Clark became the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Clark was stationed on the USS North Carolina, an airborne ship, during World War I. During this appointment, he turned his attention to Naval Aviation. In 1924 he began flight school and earned his pilot wings in 1925. While aboard the USS Pennsylvania, Clark flew fellow Oklahoman Will Rogers in a demonstration flight. During World War II, he became a Captain while commanding the USS Suwanee and later the USS Yorktown. In 1944, he became a Rear Admiral and took command of the USS Hornet. During this time he became known as the "Patton of the Pacific." Clark served as Vice Admiral and commanded the 7th Fleet during the Korean Conflict, and he introduced close air support measures known as the "Cherokee Strikes."
Clark retired from the United States Navy in 1953. He is described as demanding, intimidating, ran a tight ship, but ultimately took care of his people. The United States Navy named a guided missile frigate the USS Clark in 1980 in his honor. A Cherokee, Clark was made an honorary chief by both the Cherokee Nation and the Sioux Nation.