Guy Reed Clark and Pearl Booth Clark became parents to Don Booth Clark on April 19, 1919 in State College, PA.  An above average student with varsity letters in track and football, young Clark graduated from State College High School in 1938.  

The hopes of a career in the printing business, learning to set-up and supervise the operation of a cylinder type printing press with the Nittany Printing Co. , State College, PA was ended by the local Draft Board early in 1941.  He was inducted April 21, 1941 at New Cumberland, PA and moved to Camp Croft, SC for basic training.  On July 1, 1941 he was promoted to corporal while at Camp Croft.  

A move back to Pennsylvania in July 1941 and an assignment to Co. H, 112th, 28th Division at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania placed him with hometown friends and nearby family.  The need for cadre to reform a unit resulted in a Feb. 1942 transfer to the 2nd Section, 2nd Platoon, Co. H, 2nd Bn, 121st. Inf. Regt., 8th motorized division (Georgia National Guard) at Camp Livingston, LA.  

A  ten day furlough home provided time for his marriage to Alice Tibby Dowdell on March 26, 1942.  In September, the 121st participated in the Second Army maneuvers in Tennessee.  Motorized training in Tennessee, Missouri, and the Desert Training Center in Yuma, AZ preceded reorganization from motorized Infantry to foot Infantry.

On April 14, 1943 Cpl. Clark was promoted to sergeant.   While at Camp Forrest, TN, preparations were underway for overseas movement.  On November 27th the unit was transferred to Camp Kilmer, NJ and departed for England aboard the S.S. Columbie on Dec. 5, 1943.  On Dec.15, 1943 the 8th arrived in England following severe storms.  The 1st. Bn, 121st. Inf. was stationed at Shadow Camp in Fintonia, Ireland and later at Bally-Northland in Dungannon, Ireland. The remainder of the regiment was sent to Ashebroobe-Colebrooke, property of Irish Statesman Sir Basil Brooke.

Sgt. Clark was promoted to staff sergeant on March 1944.  On June 30, 1944 the 8th Division left Belfast harbor aboard four troop ships and twelve motor transports for Normandy and, on July 3rd, the 121st arrived offshore Utah Beach in the vicinity of Ste Mere Eglise, France.

First elements of the 121st set foot on Utah Beach on July 4, at 0130 hours with the last elements coming ashore at 1100 of the same day. Two days later, they assembled in the vicinity of Montebourg.  The division was on-line to make its first attack in the Battle of France.  A last minute change made it necessary for the men of the 121st to make an eight hour march and go into the attack without rest.  The first objective, the Ay River, was strongly defended.  Sgt. Clark was awarded his first Purple Heart for a minor wound and was not evacuated from his company.  

On July 8, 1944, Sgt. Clark was again wounded in action, this time more seriously. During this action, he was awarded the Silver Star and his first Oak Leaf cluster to the Purple Heart.

Silver Star Award: "Staff Sergeant Don B. Clark, 33017237, Infantry, Company H, 121st Infantry Regiment, for gallantry in action on 8 July in the vicinity of xxxxxx, Normandy, France. Sergeant Clark, disregarding his own personal safety, moved a machine gun into a position in full view of the enemy, thereby drawing enemy fire upon himself and enabling the riflemen of his squad to advance while he covered them with fire from his exposed position.  Sergeant Clark's example of courage in the face of the enemy during a critical period in the attack materially contributed to the success of  his unit.  Entered the military service from xxxxxx." (Pennsylvania).

From late July through Late 1944 he was located in England, recuperating from his wounds.  Sgt. Clark returned to the 121st to participate in the battles for Huertgen, Vossenack-Schmidt, Obermaubach, Roer-Rhine drive, Elb Offensive and the Ruhr Pocket.  During this period he was awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry in action.

Feb. 16, 1945 Sgt. Clark was promoted to Second Lieutenant, (o2005665), He said General George S. Patton pinned on his bar at the awards ceremony.  He was surprised at the voice of this legendary commander, rather than the expected commanding baritone, instead a high pitched voice was heard.  
March 1st 1945 Lt. Clark’s role was made official with the assignment as Commanding Officer, Co. H 121 Inf. 8th Inf. Div. On April 2, 1945, Lt. Clark was awarded the second Oak Leaf Cluster to his Purple Heart, while fighting in Germany.  
June 30, 1945 he was re-assigned as C.O. for the Anti Tank Unit, Hq Co. 2 Bn 121st Inf. 8th Inf. Div.  This would last until he departed Europe arriving in Boston aboard the U.S. General Bliss on Sept. 24, 1945.  On Nov. 16, 1945 he was released from active duty.

Returning to his old job at the hometown newspaper proved to be far less rewarding than when he left it four years previously.  “Having led fine men in battle leaves me reluctant to take orders from draft dodgers,” was his comment.  From May 1948 through September 1950 he was active with the National Guard unit located in nearby Bellefonte PA.  In May 1948, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and by Sept. 1949 Captain and CO of Co. H 112th, 28 Inf. Division.

The Korean War, the Cold War and a desire for a military career provided the necessary motivation for Clark and many others to re-enter the service.

On Sept. 5 1950 Capt. Clark’s unit was activated and he returned to active duty moving his company to Atterburg, IN in preparation for overseas assignment.  On Dec. 7, 1951 the company was transferred to Heilbronn, Germany.  By May 1952, tired of walking, Capt. Clark requested a transfer to Amour and became Company Commander of the Tank Company of the 112th Inf. 28th Division.

Sept. 17, 1953 found Capt. Clark assigned as Asst. S-3 Operations & Training Staff Officer, Hq 112th Inf. 28th Div.  The following May, the unit was redesignated Hq 60 Inf, 9th Division.  In October, Clark was promoted to Major and shortly thereafter assigned as Regimental S-2 Tactical Intelligence Staff Officer.

April through November 1955 found Major Clark getting back in shape with airborne training at Ft. Benning, GA which was followed by a transfer to 5th Army Headquarters in Chicago, Il as a student officer.

In Feb. 1957, Clark was moved to Seoul, Korea and was assigned to Hq KMAG (Korean Military Advisors Group) as Asst. Advisor, Inspector General.  By April he was serving as Senior Advisor, Inspector General ROK (Republic of Korea).

In Oct 1961, Major Clark moved to Bad Kreuznach, Germany and assignment as S-4 Supply Staff Officer, Hq & Hq Det. 8th Inf. Div. Traines.  Shortly after Jan 12, 1962, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.  June and July found him serving as Traines Executive Officer & Traines XO respectively.  Lt. Col. Clark was assigned as Assistant Commander, 7 USA NCO Academy in Bad Toelz, Germany in Nov. 1962.  June, 1964 found Lt. Col. Clark reassigned as Tactical Intelligence Officer, StfOff PdnBn, IntelDiv, Hq, Heidleberg, Germany.

He returned to continental USA in Oct. 1965 and became the Operations & Training Staff Officer, Exc. Off. G-3, Hq XXI USA Corps (2152) IGMR, Annville, PA.

Lt. Col. Don B. Clark retired from active duty on September 1, 1967.  His chosen assignment for retirement was to serve and guide the young men and women of the Indianapolis, IN school system’s Jr ROTC program.

Colonel Clark passed into a field of rest on September 28, 1990 and is in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC surrounded by countless brave and selfless American soldiers.