[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15377-15378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING MAJOR THOMAS E. CLARK

  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Air Force Major 
Thomas E. Clark, from Emporium, PA, whose aircraft was shot down during 
a combat mission over Laos in 1969.

[[Page 15378]]

  Thomas graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1963. He served 
with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 37th Tactical Flight Wing.
  He was the beloved son of Otto and Josephine Schager Clark. He was 
married to his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Mottern of Emporium.
  On February, 8, 1969, Major Clark was flying an F-100D aircraft from 
Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, in a flight of four on a combat 
mission over Laos. The flight engaged a 23mm anti-aircraft artillery 
battery and his aircraft was hit, burst into flames and crashed. No 
parachute was observed. Visual and electronic searches detected no sign 
of life. Subsequent to the incident the U.S. Air Force determined Major 
Clark to be Killed in Action, Body Not Recovered.
  In his career, Major Clark was awarded the Distinguished Flying 
Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal with Two Oakleaf 
Clusters, National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal 
with One Bronze Service Star.
  On October 14-20, 2009, a joint U.S/Laotian team investigated the 
crash site for the fourth time and recovered a human tooth which was 
later identified as the remains of Major Clark.
  During a ceremony at Emporium, PA, on October 22, 2011, his remains 
will be interred in a plot beside his parents.
  My thoughts and prayers are with Major Clark's family and friends as 
we honor the life and service of this Pennsylvanian hero.
  All Americans are deeply indebted to Major Clark for his service and 
sacrifice.

                          ____________________