Joseph J. Clark
| Joseph J. Clark | |
|---|---|
Admiral Joseph J. Clark
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Jocko |
| Born |
November 12, 1893 Chelsea, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | July 13, 1971 (aged 77) St. Albans, New York, U.S. |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1917-1953 |
| Rank |
 Admiral
|
| Commands held | Suwannee (ACV-27) Yorktown (CV-10) Task Group 58.1/38.1 Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77) 7th Fleet |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II Korean War |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit |
Admiral Joseph James "Jocko" Clark, USN (November 12, 1893 – July 13, 1971) was an admiral in the United States Navy, who commanded aircraft carriers during World War II. Born and raised in Oklahoma and a native of the Cherokee Nation, he was the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy, in 1917.
Clark's nickname, "Jocko", originated at the Naval Academy: on one of his first days there, he was standing in ranks when a classmate called out "The Right Reverend J. Jonathan Jockey Clark!"
During World War II, Clark commanded the carriers Suwannee (ACV-27) and Yorktown (CV-10). He was known as an aggressive commander, ready to take his group into battle. In 1944 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and given command of Task Group 58.1 and served under the commands of Admiral Mitscher of the Fast Carrier Task Force, and Admiral Spruance, commander, Fifth Fleet. He commanded Task Group 58.1 in the Marianas campaign, and on multiple occasions his group was sent north to interdict Japanese aircraft being shuttled down from Japan. His air groups conducted attacks on shuttle points Chichi and Iwo Jima so often that sailors of the Fast Carrier Task Force nicknamed them the "Jocko Jimas". He operated his task group in conjunction with the rest of Task Force 58 in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. His flagship was the carrier Hornet (CV-12). On the second day of the battle, with his planes returning after sundown, Clark ordered his ships to light up, allowing most planes to land safely.
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