REAR ADMIRAL DAVID H. CLARK USN (RET.)

1899-1982

PAST PRESIDENT ASNE - 1951 * *

AN members of the Society who knew him and countless former colleagues in naval engi- neering will mourn the passing of Real Ad- miral David H. Clark, USN (Ret.) who died at Virginia Beach, Virginia on 3 September 1982, after being hospitalized for acute circulatory ailments. Graveside services were conducted on 5 September at the Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetary.

Rear Admiral David Henderson Clark was born 25 February 1899, at Henderson, Ken- tucky. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1915, with the Class of 1919. At the Academy, he played on the basketball and lacross teams his plebe year and each year thereafter, winning letters in both sports. Due to wartime acceleration, he was graduated and commissioned Ensign on 6 June 1918.

In July 1918, he was assigned as gunnery officer of the destroyer USS Terty, based at Queenstown, Ireland, during World War I. He later served as commanding officer of that destroyer until she was decommissioned in November 1919. He joined the USS Meyer, fitting out at the Navy Yard, Boston, in December 1919, serving consecutively as ex- ecutive officer and navigator, while the Meyer joined the Destroyers, Pacific Fleet. In 1920 he became engineer officer of the destroyer Gamble and later of the destroyer Bulmer. From 1921 until 1923, he served aboard the battleship Wyoming as senior assistant engineer.

In June 1923 he was assigned postgraduate training in electrical engineering at the Postgraduate School, Naval Academy, and later at Columbia University, New York, New York, receiving a Master of Science Degree from Colum- bia in 1925. Returning to the USS Wyoming, he served aboard that ship as electrical officer and senior assistant engineer until 1927, when he reported to the USS Utah for similar duty. From 1928 until 1930, he served as assistant to the Engineering Superintendent at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Returning to sea in 1930, he served until 1932 as executive officer and navigator of the USS Dupont. In June 1932 he became Staff Engineer Officer to Com- mander Destroyer Squadron 19.

In June 1933 he was assigned duty in the Fire Control Section, Bureau of Engineering, Navy Department, where he remained until April 1936. During that period, October 1935, he was designated for “Engineering Duty Only.” Report- ing to the Postgraduate School, U.S. Naval Academy, in April 1936, he served as officer in charge of Naval and Aeronautical Engineering Training. In 1938, he returned to the Bureau of Engineering, Navy Department, as Naval Personnel Officer. By this time, in Commander rank, he was active in working out problems in connection with the consolidation of the Bureaus of Engineering and Construction and Repair.

When the two Bureaus became the Bureau of Ships in June 1940, Admiral Clark was assigned to the Design Division of that Bureau. In June 1941 he became Fleet Engineer Officer on the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and was serving in this assignment at the beginning of World War 11. He was promoted to Captain in 1942 and was active in organizing the Fleet Maintenance Office. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for “distinguished and especially meritorious service in a position of great responsibility, first on the staff of the Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, and later as Assistant Fleet Maintenance Officer, during the period April 1942 to August 1943.”

In September 1943 he reported to the Navy Yard, Bostod, Massachusetts, for duty as Planning Officer, and served in that capacity during the remainder of World War 11. In February 1946, he assumed command of the Naval Engineering Experiment Station, Annapolis, Maryland, and in March of the following year, became Commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia, having been promoted to flag rank at this time. He became Chief of the Bureau of Ships on 1 February 1949 with additional duty as Coordinator of Shipbuilding for the Naval Establishment.

On 1 February 1951, he completed his term as Chief of the Bureau of Ships. On 15 February of that year, he reported again as Commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia where he continued to serve until relieved of all active duty pending his retirement on 30 June 1953.

Upon his retirement, he was appointed as the fist Executive Director of the Virginia State Port Authority, a position he held until 1%8.

Admiral Clark was a member of the New York Yacht Club; the Chevy Chase Club of Chevy Chase, Maryland; the Princess Anne Country Club of Virginia Beach; the Army-Navy Country Club of Washington, D.C.; the North Carolina Society of Cincinnati, Ohio; the Hugenot Society of South Carolina; the Naval Institute; and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.

He was a member and former vestryman of Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church of Virginia Beach where he had resided since his retirement.

Admiral Clark was considered by those who knew him and served with him as the personification of the ideal U.S. Naval Officer and Naval Engineer. His entire career was filled with achievements and selections to offices of highest responsibility. He epitomized all the ideals of the officer and gentleman who dedicates his life and talents to serving his country and fellow citizens. His name will have a place of honor in the history of the U.S. NAVY and ASNE.

He is survived by his widow, Catherine Hutchinson Clark; a daughter, Mrs. John Rasmussen of Bethesda, Md.; two sons, David Clark IV of Norfolk and Morton Hutchinson Clark of Virginia Beach; 11 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. To all of them and other members of his family, and friends, the Society extends its earnest sympathy.

~ ~~ ~

I Naval Engineers Journal, October 1982