CDR John E. Clark

A native Floridian, CDR Clark graduated from Florida Southern College in 1983 and earned his commission through the Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), Pensacola, FL.

Upon completion of flight school, CDR Clark earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings in June 1987 and selected for training in the A-6 Intruder. He then reported to the Attack Squadron 42 (VA-42) at NAS Oceana, VA for replacement training as an A-6 Bombardier/Navigator. After replacement training, he joined the "Fighting Tigers" of Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) in August 1998. While a member of the "Fighting Tigers," he completedhis first deployment onboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43) and his second onboard Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) flying combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Following his initial fleet tour, CDR Clark returned to NAS Pensacola as a flight instructor with the "Wildcats" of Training Squadron 10 (VT-10). In 1993, he was selected as the VT-10 instructor of the year. He also attended the University of West Florida at night where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

In January of 1995, CDR Clark was assigned as the Assistant Strike Operations Officer onboard USS John F Kennedy for a disassociated sea tour. In addition to his normal duties, he volunteered on the bridge watch team and qualified as Officer of the Deck Underway (OOD).

With the phase-out of the Intruder, CDR Clark was selected for a transition to the EA-6B Prowler. In March 1997, he reported to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) at NAS Whidbey Island for replacement training and later joined the "Shadowhawks" of Electronic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141) for his department head tour. He served as Administration Officer and Opperations Officer where he deployed once again onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) flying combat missions in Allied Force and Southern Watch.

CDR Clark then reported to the Air Command and Staff College, Montgomery, AL, earning a Master of Military Opperation Art and Science in 2001. Later that year, he reported to the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), at Offutt AFB for a joint tour in the Global Strike Division as Chief of the PACOM Support Branch. In August of 2004, CDR Clark reported to the USS John C Stennis (CVN 74) to serve as the Air Opperations Officer.

CDR Clark is currently serving as Executive Officer of Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, Virginia Polytechnic Instutite and State University in Blacksburg, VA.

His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/ Combat "V" (one individual award, seven strike/flight awards), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Combat "V" (seven awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and unit awards.