Earnest Arthur Clark
Second Lieutenant Earnest A. Clark served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 26th Marines.
He was killed action at Iwo Jima on 2 March 1945.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-30947
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by DPAA
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
June 4, 1919
in Seminary, MS
Parents
James Arthur Clark
Queenie Victoria (Williams) Clark
Education
Seminary High School
Mississippi State College (1943)
Occupation & Employer
Recent graduate
Service Life
Entered Service
March 6, 1942 (enlisted)
October 6, 1943 (commissioned)
Home Of Record
Route 3
Seminary, MS
Next Of Kin
Parents, James & Queenie Clark
Military Specialty
Platoon Leader
(MOS 1542)
Individual Decorations
Silver Star
Purple Heart
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Earnest Clark enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve while earning his education degree at Mississippi State College, and went on active duty immediately after graduating in May 1943. He received his commission from the 35th Candidates’ Class at Quantico, Virginia, and was assigned to Fox Company, Second Battalion, 26th Marines. As the leader of Fox Company’s 2 Platoon on Iwo Jima, Clark repeatedly distinguished himself under fire, particularly on 22 February 1945:
While maneuvering his platoon into position alongside a unit that had suffered heavy casualties, Second Lieutenant Clark observed four critically wounded Marines lying in a fire lane covered by enemy machine guns. In the face of intense mortar and small arms fire and further handicapped by a driving rain, he proceeded to the helpless Marines and, in four trips, carried the men to a place of comparative safety. He then organized litter teams and directed the evacuation of the wounded men for medical treatment.
Several days later, on 2 March 1945, elements of the battalion were ordered to close up a gap between the 26th and 21st Marines. The route led “through mine fields and heavy sniper and mortar fire,” and the maneuver was completed just before dark. Fox Company blasted numerous caves in its sector, and endured numerous hand grenade battles during the night. Lieutenant Clark was killed during one of these grenade exchanges, and was found dead in the field the following morning.
Burial Information or Disposition
Clark’s body was seen in the field by Pharmacist’s Mate First Class Everett B. Kellogg and Second Lieutenant William N. Eckerson, who confirmed Clark’s death. However, due to heavy firing, neither the witnesses nor any stretcher parties were able to retrieve the fallen officer. Kellogg added his belief that “due to demolition charges the body was buried under debris.”
Clark was posthumously promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Next Of Kin Address
The Clarks lived on Rural Route #3 outside of Seminary, Mississippi
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of F/2/26 on 2 March 1945,
