Project 888
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Name: Eugene CLARK Rank / Rating: CK3-Cook Third Class Service #: 839 55 47 DOB: Nov 28, 1919 From: Dallas, TX Parents: Elihue (a truck driver) and Earlean Beltram Clark Went Aboard: Jan 18, 1944 Age When Ship Went Down: 25 years, 8 months, 2 days Spouse: Lorene Oneatus Young Clark Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Jane Gwinn Goodall Date Posted: |
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Dallas, Texas native Eugene Clark was born 28 November 1919 to parents Elihue (a truck driver) and Earlean Beltram Clark (a cook). According to his birth certificate, he was delivered by a midwife at the family’s home on Pearl Street, in Dallas, Texas.
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| The 1930 Census recorded the family information. Eugene (no middle name) Clark was the oldest of five children. His siblings included one brother, Carroll (born 1922), and sisters Charlie Mae (born 1925), and Lavelva (born in 1930). Another sister, Earlean E. Clark, Jr. was born in 1934. Just nine months before registering for the draft, Eugene married Lorene Oneatus Young on 9 September 1940. She was listed as his next of kin. At the time of registration on 1 July 1941, Clark was employed as a cook at Mack’s Grill in Dallas. Eugene enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 2 September 1943. He was first received onboard USS Indianapolis on 18 January 1944 from Shoemaker Camp near San Francisco as Steward’s Mate Second Class. In May 1944 he was promoted to Steward’s Mate First Class and again on 5 February 1945 to Cook Third Class. Clark prepared meals for the officers. He was part of the ship’s crew for seven of the ten battles for which USS Indianapolis (CA-35) received Battle Stars for meritorious service. Eugene Clark was 25 years old when he became a casualty of the sinking of USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He left behind Lorene Clark, his wife of nearly five years. According to the 1950 Federal Census, Lorene lived with her mother, Louise Young, after she became a widow. We know of no children. | |
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 | Eugene CLARK, CK3-Cook Third Class, was one of 28 African-American men who were members of the Steward Branch, the only division on the ship in which there was not a single survivor. The restricted duties of the Steward Branch were to serve the officers of the ship, including the admiral's and captain's wardrooms, dining areas and sleeping quarters. The services were essential to the smooth and efficient running of Indianapolis. Many of Indianapolis's African-American crew members voluntarily performed duties as gunners' mates, assigned to a specific battle station as one complete unit. More details about the valuable service of these men can be found by reading the book: 'Heroes in the Shadows: The Untold Story of the African American Sailors Aboard USS Indianapolis (CA-35)', by Jane Gwinn Goodall, with contributions from Janice Alston and Arlene Taylor (Henry Jackson, StM1), Jeanette Pitts, M.D. (Albert Rice, StM1), and Jacqueline Dugan and Ernestine Peete (Magellan Williams, StM1). |
