CLARK, JOHN WALTER

Name: John Walter Clark
Rank/Branch: O3/United States Air Force
Unit: 11th TRS
Date of Birth: 01 January 1940
Home City of Record: Columbia MO
Date of Loss: 12 March 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 205700 North  1045700 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: RF4C
Missions: 80+
Other Personnel in Incident: Edward Goodrich, Missing


Pre-capture photo


2014

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews.  2024

REMARKS: 730218 RELEASED BY DRV


 

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John Clark retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. He and his
wife Anne reside in Missouri.

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https://cofovietnamtour2014.wordpress.com/    
October 7, 2014
“Gooooooooooodbye Vietnam”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XihEqoPG9x0   -  Missouri Heroes - John Clark

C of O Students Travel with Veterans to Vietnam

Press Release

College of the Ozarks sent 17 students to Vietnam, paired with six Veterans, from Dec. 9-22, 2018, traveling as part of the Patriotic Education Travel Program.

The trip was under the direction of Bryan Cizek, director of patriotic activities. This was the College’s fourth time to Vietnam, but its 23rd Patriotic Education Travel Program excursion altogether, with trips representing World War II, the Cold War, Korean War, and Vietnam War.

During this trip, students and Veterans visited various sites of the Vietnam War, including Củ Chi Tunnels, Hỏa Lň Prison (Hanoi), the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Hải Vân Pass, My Lai Memorial Site, Chu Lai, Monkey Mountain, and numerous military and cultural museums and sites.

A doorknob on the inside

Two of the Veterans who traveled with the students, Col. John Clark and Col. Tom Moe, were prisoners of war in Hỏa Lň Prison, given the name “Hanoi Hilton” by the American soldiers. During their time at the Hanoi Hilton, Moe and Clark were cellmates.

Including his stay in the Hanoi Hilton, Moe spent over five years in captivity – a total of 1,881 days.

“I’m ready to go back,” Moe said before entering the prison again. “I’m ready to go in there and not be blindfolded, handcuffed, or shackled.”

While touring the museum in Hanoi, Moe spotted himself in a picture that was featured in an exhibit capturing the day that the American POWs were released. The late senator John McCain was also featured in the picture.

“It has been a blessing to travel with Col. Tom Moe and hear his stories,” said senior Sara Pitts. “One thing we will remember from Moe is his optimism: ‘Every day that I wake up with a door handle on the inside is a good day.’”

Clark spent nearly six years as a prisoner of war, including four years at the Hanoi Hilton.

“As we toured the prison, Clark explained how the prisoners persevered through the atrocities of their daily lives,” said sophomore Kyle Stevens. “The prisoners developed relationships that helped them to endure the physical and mental hardships of captivity. This sense of unity served as a source of energy and stamina that gave them strength — a brotherhood that continues today.”

Each student wrote a blog on the day dedicated to their Veteran, which was planned around the areas the Veteran served in. Read highlights from the trip in the blog: https://2018vietnam.wordpress.com/

Student and Veteran pairings

  • Veteran Tom Moe, paired with senior Lily Woolsey from Lebanon, Missouri; senior Sara Pitts from from Grovespring, Missouri;  and junior Rebekah Eklund from Topeka, Kansas
  • Veteran John Clark, paired with senior Kaylee Thieme from Chillicothe, Missouri; senior Courtney Hendrix from Owensville, Missouri; and sophomore Kyle Stevens from Minneola, Kansas
  • Veteran Gary Littrell, paired with sophomore Michael McGinnis from Nixa, Missouri; senior Miles Mrowiec from Spring Grove, Illinois; and sophomore Emma Bachali from Centennial, Colorado
  • Veteran Gary Wood, paired with senior Alex Weathermon from Marionville, Missouri; junior Annie Boyd from Huntsville, Arkansas; and senior Allison Steuck from Rich Hill, Missouri
  • Veteran Robert Smith, paired with seniors Jedidiah Friedman from Springfield, Missouri, and Braden Farris from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Veteran Don Browning, paired with seniors Cody Neal from Gainesville, Missouri; Christina Malzner from Russellville, Missouri; and Jason Good from Sparta, Missouri

Sponsors 

  • Bryan Cizek, director of patriotic activities
  • Dr. David Dalton, professor of history
  • Chassidy Brittain, patriotic activities administrative assistant
  • Col. James Schreffler, assistant professor of military science
  • Lori Vanderpool, clinic administrator and patriotic travel nurse
He earned the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Flying Cross, six Air Medals and other medals and honors.
On Friday, April 8 retired U.S. Air Force Col. John Clark of Columbia, Missouri, and former Prisoner of War, laid a wreath at the POW/MIA Memorial ...


10/11/2024

 

CC: from Tom Moe......

Congratulations to John Clark who is to be (or was just) inducted into the Missouri Veterans Hall of Fame.


 

Here's the citation:

John Clark of Columbia, Missouri graduated from Air Force ROTC at the University of Missouri and received his Commission after completing a degree in mechanical engineering. 

 

He flew C-131 aeromedical evacuation aircraft and RF-4C tactical reconnaissance missions. John was shot down over North Vietnam, was captured and spent six years as a POW in North Vietnam until released in 1973. 

 

He has been active in The American Ex-Prisoners of War organization and is an active member Mid-Missouri Chapter of MOAA. John speaks to numerous organizations around the State and country about his experiences. 

 

MORE INFO  http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=275