Clarke, Douglas Lane, 1936-
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1936-
Biographical Note: Douglas Clarke
Douglas Lane Clark is a retired United States Navy serviceman who served as a naval aviator during the Vietnam War. He was born on February 14, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Archibald Douglas and Mona Clarke. In 1939, the Clarkes relocated to Seattle, Washington, where Doug attended Laurelhurst Grade School. From 1946 to 1949, he attended Glenlyon Preparatory School for Boys in Victoria, B.C. Clarke graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1952.
After graduation, Clarke took a summer job as a seaman on a Coast Geodetic Survey ship, then started his college studies at the University of Washington. He joined NROTC in his sophomore year and decided to pursue a career in naval aviation. In 1956, Clarke graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Far Eastern Studies. He then completed an additional year of Naval Science at Columbia University’s Russian Institute in New York. He received his Navy commission in 1957.
Clarke completed basic flight training at Pensacola, Florida and advanced flight training at Corpus Christi, Texas. He received his wings on September 17, 1958. In December 1958, Clarke was assigned to VA(AW)-35 (All-Weather Attack Squadron 35) and reported to Naval Air Station North Island (California) for operational training in the Douglas AD-6 and AD-7 Skyraider. In March 1959, he joined VA-25 (Attack Squadron 25) as a nuclear weapons delivery pilot and was deployed aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41). Clarke served a total of three WESTPAC cruises with VA-25.
In November 1962, Clarke embarked on his first shore duty tour with VA-122 (Attack Squadron 122), which was serving as a replacement air group (RAG) squadron at Naval Air Stations Moffett Field and Lemoore (California). During this time, he also served as a weapons instructor at NAS Fallon (Nevada).
In September 1965, he accepted a temporary duty assignment with VA-152 (Attack Squadron 152) aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34). During this combat tour, he flew primarily interdiction missions against North Vietnam. He also participated in search-and-rescue missions, including one near the Chinese border on October 17, 1965. For his efforts on this mission, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In 1966, Clarke reported to VA-125 (Attack Squadron 125) for operational training in the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. He then joined VA-216 (Attack Squadron 216) and embarked on another WESTPAC cruise to Southeast Asia. In 1967, Clarke served a short Mediterranean cruise aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60) after VA-216 was temporarily loaned to AIRLANT (Naval Air Force Atlantic). As such, he was present in the Mediterranean during the Six-Day War, the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict. After completing their service with AIRLANT, Clarke and VA-216 returned to Southeast Asia for another combat tour, this one aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43).
Clarke returned to the United States in 1969 and completed a year-long program at the Army Command and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From 1970 to 1972, he worked at the Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action Office at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. In July 1972, after receiving operational training on the Vought A-7 Corsair II, Clarke joined VA-93 (Attack Squadron 93) as the squadron’s executive officer and later as commanding officer. In August of that year, he took part in a low-altitude search mission in North Vietnam while enduring enemy fire. He later received the Silver Star for this mission.
In 1973, Clarke completed his seventh and final WESTPAC cruise. His final cumulative score was 302 combat and combat support missions in North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and Laos.
From 1974 to 1977, Clarke served as deputy operations officer and strike operations officer on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Three. He then attended the National War College in Washington, D.C. and earned a concurrent Master’s of Science in International Affairs from George Washington University. His master’s thesis was titled The Missing Man: Politics and the MIA.
After completing his master’s degree in 1978, Clarke accepted a staff assignment at NATO, serving as naval advisor to the Commander of Chief of Allied Forces in Central Europe. His other NATO assignments included serving as a representative for STRIKFLTLANT (Striking Fleet Atlantic) and as head of the Nuclear Planning Branch with the International Military Staff in Belgium. His final Navy assignment was as deputy director of the Office of Verification Policy, part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, at the Pentagon.
Following his retirement from the Navy in 1987, Clarke worked as a senior research analyst for Radio Free Europe and as a freelance analyst for the Jamestown Foundation. In 1992, Clarke and his wife relocated to Vashon Island, Washington. He joined The Museum of Flight Docent Corps in 1997 and, as of 2017, continues to serve as a docent.
Biographical information derived from interview and additional information provided by interviewee.
After graduation, Clarke took a summer job as a seaman on a Coast Geodetic Survey ship, then started his college studies at the University of Washington. He joined NROTC in his sophomore year and decided to pursue a career in naval aviation. In 1956, Clarke graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Far Eastern Studies. He then completed an additional year of Naval Science at Columbia University’s Russian Institute in New York. He received his Navy commission in 1957.
Clarke completed basic flight training at Pensacola, Florida and advanced flight training at Corpus Christi, Texas. He received his wings on September 17, 1958. In December 1958, Clarke was assigned to VA(AW)-35 (All-Weather Attack Squadron 35) and reported to Naval Air Station North Island (California) for operational training in the Douglas AD-6 and AD-7 Skyraider. In March 1959, he joined VA-25 (Attack Squadron 25) as a nuclear weapons delivery pilot and was deployed aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41). Clarke served a total of three WESTPAC cruises with VA-25.
In November 1962, Clarke embarked on his first shore duty tour with VA-122 (Attack Squadron 122), which was serving as a replacement air group (RAG) squadron at Naval Air Stations Moffett Field and Lemoore (California). During this time, he also served as a weapons instructor at NAS Fallon (Nevada).
In September 1965, he accepted a temporary duty assignment with VA-152 (Attack Squadron 152) aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34). During this combat tour, he flew primarily interdiction missions against North Vietnam. He also participated in search-and-rescue missions, including one near the Chinese border on October 17, 1965. For his efforts on this mission, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In 1966, Clarke reported to VA-125 (Attack Squadron 125) for operational training in the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. He then joined VA-216 (Attack Squadron 216) and embarked on another WESTPAC cruise to Southeast Asia. In 1967, Clarke served a short Mediterranean cruise aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60) after VA-216 was temporarily loaned to AIRLANT (Naval Air Force Atlantic). As such, he was present in the Mediterranean during the Six-Day War, the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict. After completing their service with AIRLANT, Clarke and VA-216 returned to Southeast Asia for another combat tour, this one aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43).
Clarke returned to the United States in 1969 and completed a year-long program at the Army Command and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From 1970 to 1972, he worked at the Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action Office at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. In July 1972, after receiving operational training on the Vought A-7 Corsair II, Clarke joined VA-93 (Attack Squadron 93) as the squadron’s executive officer and later as commanding officer. In August of that year, he took part in a low-altitude search mission in North Vietnam while enduring enemy fire. He later received the Silver Star for this mission.
In 1973, Clarke completed his seventh and final WESTPAC cruise. His final cumulative score was 302 combat and combat support missions in North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and Laos.
From 1974 to 1977, Clarke served as deputy operations officer and strike operations officer on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Three. He then attended the National War College in Washington, D.C. and earned a concurrent Master’s of Science in International Affairs from George Washington University. His master’s thesis was titled The Missing Man: Politics and the MIA.
After completing his master’s degree in 1978, Clarke accepted a staff assignment at NATO, serving as naval advisor to the Commander of Chief of Allied Forces in Central Europe. His other NATO assignments included serving as a representative for STRIKFLTLANT (Striking Fleet Atlantic) and as head of the Nuclear Planning Branch with the International Military Staff in Belgium. His final Navy assignment was as deputy director of the Office of Verification Policy, part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, at the Pentagon.
Following his retirement from the Navy in 1987, Clarke worked as a senior research analyst for Radio Free Europe and as a freelance analyst for the Jamestown Foundation. In 1992, Clarke and his wife relocated to Vashon Island, Washington. He joined The Museum of Flight Docent Corps in 1997 and, as of 2017, continues to serve as a docent.
Biographical information derived from interview and additional information provided by interviewee.
Chronology
- 1936 February 14 Born in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- 1939 Moved to Seattle, Washington.
- 1946–1949 Attended Glenlyon Preparatory School for Boys (Victoria, B.C.).
- 1952 Graduated from Roosevelt High School (Seattle, Washington) and took a summer job on Coast Geodetic Survey ship. Began studying at the University of Washington (Seattle, Washington) in the fall.
- 1956 Graduated with a bachelor’s of art in Far Eastern Studies.
- 1957 June Commissioned in the United States Navy at Columbia University (New York). Began flight training in Pensacola (Florida).
- 1958 Advanced flight training in Corpus Christi (Texas). Requested a transfer from multi-engine to single-engine aircraft. Completed training in the Douglas AD-4 Skyraider.
- 1958 September 17 Completed flight training and received pilot wings.
- 1958 December 07 Reported to VA(AW)-35 at Naval Air Station North Island (California) for operational training in the Douglas AD-6 and AD-7 Skyraider.
- 1959 March Reported to VA-25 at NAS Alameda (California).
- 1959-1962 Served three WESTPAC tours with VA-25 aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41).
- 1962 November Reported for shore duty tour with VA-122 at NAS Moffett Field (California) and NAS Lemoore (California).
- 1965 September Accepted a temporary duty assignment with VA-152 aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34), stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin.
- 1965 October 01 Flew first combat mission, a night interdiction flight over North Vietnam.
- 1965 October 17 Took part in a search-and-rescue (SAR) mission in North Vietnam near the Chinese border. Later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts on this mission.
- 1965 November 13 Made a wheels-up landing at Da Nang Airbase (South Vietnam) after being hit by rifle fire during a SAR mission in North Vietnam.
- 1965 December Returned to NAS Lemoore after flying 36 combat missions with VA-152 in the Douglas A-1 Skyraider.
- 1966 February Reported to VA-125 for operational training in the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk.
- 1966 Reported to VA-216 and embarked on the USS Hancock (CVA-19) for his fifth WESTPAC cruise. Flew 32 combat and combat support missions over North and South Vietnam in the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk.
- 1967 Deployed to the Mediterranean in April aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60) after VA-216 was loaned to AIRLANT (Naval Air Force Atlantic). Was present in the Mediterranean during the Six-Day War, the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict.
- 1968–1969 Deployed aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) for his sixth WESTPAC cruise. Flew 107 combat and combat support mission over North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and Laos.
- 1969–1970 Attended the Army Command and Staff College (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas).
- 1970–1972 Worked in the Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action Office of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Arlington, Virginia).
- 1972 March Commenced operational training in the Vought A-7 Corsair II at NAS Lemoore.
- 1972 July Assigned to VA-93 as executive officer, later promoted to commanding officer, aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41).
- 1972 August 27 Participated in a strike against Loi Dong (North Vietnam) and re-entered enemy territory to search for a downed F-4 Phantom crew. Endured enemy fire while searching at low altitude. Later awarded the Silver Star for his efforts on this mission.
- 1973 Flew final combat mission in Laos on February 9. Completed his seventh WESTPAC cruise.
- 1973 September 11 Joined VA-216 aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
- 1974–1977 Served as deputy operations officer and strike operations officer on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Three.
- 1977–1978 Attended the National War College (Fort McNair, Washington, D. C.) and earned a concurrent master’s of science in International Affairs from George Washington University.
- 1978–1982 Staff assignment at NATO, serving as naval advisor for the Commander of Allied Forces in Central Europe (Brunssum, the Netherlands).
- 1982–1985 Served with the International Military Staff (Brussels, Belgium) as head of the Nuclear Planning Branch.
- 1985–1987 Served as deputy director of the Office of Verification Policy, part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, at the Pentagon.
- 1987 Retired from the Navy at the rank of captain.
- 1987–1990s Worked for Radio Free Radio in Munich, Germany as a senior research analyst for military and arms control affairs. Returned to the United States and worked as a freelance analyst for the Jamestown Foundation.
- 1992 Relocated to Vashon Island, Washington.
- 1997 Joined The Museum of Flight Docent Corps.
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Clarke, Doug -- oral history interview, 2017 October 28
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Interview Summary
Naval aviator and Vietnam War veteran Douglas Clarke is interviewed about his military service with the United States Navy from 1957 to 1987. He discusses his combat tours in Vietnam and Laos and shares other details from his Navy and post-military careers. Topics discussed include his service and training history; his experiences piloting various aircraft, including the Douglas AD Skyraider, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, and Vought A-7 Corsair II; notable missions in Southeast Asia; and his work at...