George Eugene Clark, Sr.

Command Sergeant Major George Eugene Clark was born 15 September 1921 in McAlester, OK. He was Choctaw by birth, and his foster father was the son of Cherokee Chief (1866-1870) Allen Wright. He graduated from high school in 1938 and joined the Oklahoma National Guard. On 16 September 1940, the 45th Division was nationalized for the duration of WWII.

Clark’s 45th Infantry Division trained for two and one half years in preparation for combat. He trained as a Scout/Forward Observer for B Battery, 160th Field Artillery Battalion. In July 1943, the 45thID entered combat in Sicily; and fought battles in Salerno and Central Italy.

In the Sunday Morning edition, 12 December 1943, of the Los Angeles Times, Tom Treanor’s headline described Clark near Filignano, Italy -- Choctaw Indian From Oklahoma Creeps Into Nazi Line to Direct Fire of American Guns. Treanor wrote, "His [Clark’s] first success was on the German machine-gun concentration. From there he directed shells from three batteries into every German concentration of fire."

Clark’s actions on 29 September 1944, near Vimenil, France, like that in Italy, earned him the award of the Silver Star. The citation reads in part, "… for gallantry in action…exposing himself frequently to the heavy fires… skillfully adjusting the fire on the German defenses, disorganizing the hostile force… reflecting credit on himself and his organization."

Clark returned home in June 1945 and continued his military service. He served with the 45th ID again in the Korean War, and also Vietnam. In 1969 Clark retired after 26 years of total service. In addition to the Silver Star, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Air Medals. Earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree, Clark began a career in counseling with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Clark died tragically in an accident in 1978. He rests in Memorial Park Cemetery, Heavener, OK.