James Joseph Clark

James Joseph “Jocko” Clark was born 12 November 1893 near Chelsea, Indian Territory, to Cherokee parents. He attended two colleges in Oklahoma before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1918. He was the first Native American to graduate from Annapolis. 

After years at sea, Clark requested a transfer into the fledgling Naval Aviation community and graduated from Naval Flight School in 1925. Soon becoming an expert, he was an innovator of aircraft carrier tactics that had a dramatic influence upon America’s naval strategy during World War II.

In 1932 Clark served as the only Naval Aviator member of the Department of the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey. This allowed him the opportunity to develop and refine many of the aircraft and aviation-related shipboard systems that would later significantly impact the future of Naval air power. Clark’s strong leadership and aggressive combat reputation earned him the nickname “the Patton of the Pacific” during the Pacific War against Japan.

Clark was assigned as the Commanding Officer of a second USS Yorktown. He directed his new ship in battle and successfully provided air support to the U.S. amphibious landings in the Japanese-occupied Marshall Islands. These actions were recorded by an on-board film crew and depicted in the 20th Century Fox film, The Fighting Lady.

During the Korean War, ADM Clark commanded the Pacific-based Seventh Fleet, which consisted of 225 warships and 70,000 fighting men and women from 21 United Nations countries.

Clark was awarded the Navy Cross and Legion of Merit with combat "V.” He was also awarded a Silver Star while commanding the USS Yorktown during the Marshall Islands Campaign. Admiral Clark is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame (1952); has been honored at the Oklahoma State Capitol; and is the namesake of the guided missile frigate, USS Clark (FFG-11).