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Personal info

Full name
CLARK, James Franklin Jr
Date of birth
23 July 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Ethnicity
African American
Religion
Protestant

Military service

Service number
36899418
Rank
Private
Function
Squad Leader
Unit
K Company,
3rd Battalion,
271st Infantry Regiment,
69th Infantry Division
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
22 April 1945
Place of death
Wurzen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
D 17 11

Immediate family

Members
James Clark (father)
Bertha Clark (mother)
Marion Clark (sister)
Ray Clark (brother)
Wallace Clark (brother)
Jackie Clark (brother)

More information

Pvt James F. Clark Jr. enlisted on 15 February 1944. Overseas, he was initially assigned to the 467th Amphibian Truck Company. However, he was one of the over 5,000 African American soldiers who volunteered for a transfer to the infantry at the end of 1944. After receiving training, he was assigned to K Company, 271st Infantry Regiment, 69th Infantry Division. He served as a squad leader in a platoon of African American soldiers.

The Bronze Star citation reads: "For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on 22 April 1945 near Wurzen, Germany. Private Clark demonstrated outstanding courage and bravery by leading a patrol across the Mulde river into enemy territory. Since all bridges were blown, it was necessary to crawl over wreckage and debris to reach the opposite side. When the patrol was fired upon, Private Clark remained behind to cover his comrades as they withdrew. Private Clark reflects the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Service of the United States."

A member of the patrol said in an eyewitness statement that Pvt Clark was killed when he finally withdrew across the river.

Documents

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, 69th-infantry-division.com, The Morning Call 27 February 1949, www.ancestry.com - Pennsylvania Death Certificates 1906-1964 / 1920 U.S. Census, Official Military Personnel File, Individual Deceased Personnel File

Photo source: Findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Susan Linton - Robert Clark (nephew)