Soldier Honored: Michael J. Clark

Gunnery Sergeant Michael J. Clark, 29, of Leesburg Lake, Fla., was assigned to the Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1^st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On July 20, 2004, GySgt. Clark 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. During his off-duty time, he attended courses at West Point, completing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. GySgt. Clark’s awards include the Purple Heart, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat “V”, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal for his service.

“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 GySgt. Clark’s daughters are Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients.