Fallen Soldier: Michael J. Clark

Gunnery Sergeant Michael J. Clark, 29, of Leesburg Lake, Fl, was assigned to the Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, CA. On July 20, 2004, he was killed during enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.

GySgt. Clark enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1993. He attended Aviation Ordnanceman Training in Tennessee, where he was promoted to Lance Corporal. In January 1999, GySgt. Clark received orders to attend Explosive Ordnance Disposal School in Florida, where he graduated with honors.

GySgt. Clark’s awards include the Purple Heart and two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat “V”, among many others.

“My father always lived life by the moment and no matter how tired he was returning home from any kind of work, he always soaked up his time with my younger sister and me,” his daughter said. “He maximized his time with us even though we will always feel like we never had enough.”

Both of his daughters are Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients.