Major MICHAEL D. CLARK was recognized for his extraordinary heroism by award of the Distinguished Service Cross while a platoon leader with E Company, 3rd Bn, 21st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On 1 December 1968 when one of his squads happened upon a North Vietnamese hospital base camp, they were soon pinned down under intense hostile fire. Lieutenant Clark, located five hundred meters to the northwest, immediately led his squad to their assistance.As they neared the base camp, they detected movement ahead on the trail and opened fire, thwarting an ambush attempt. Lieutenant Clark’s surprising maneuver confused the enemy forces who were assaulting the beleaguered squad, and scattered, allowing the trapped squad to withdraw. Directing his men to occupy several empty bunkers, he proceeded to call in artillery and gun ships on the hostile camp. While supporting fires delivered a devastating barrage, additional troops were airlifted into the combat area, and together with Lieutenaant Clark’s regrouped platoon, led an assault on the cammp. Approaching the communist emplacements with a ten man patrol, Lieutenant Clark charged one of the bunkers alone and killed the occupants with a hand grenade. His patrol meanwhile flanked two additional bunkers and soon destroyed them. After a fierce battle which resulted in the destruction of the camp and the seizure of many weapons and supplies, the platoon retired with no casualties. First Lieutenant Clark’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Major Clark joined the Legion of Valor in 1979