Colonel John Clark Lays Wreath, Visits Stars & Stripes Museum

Bloomfield, MO - Colonel John Clark, Air Force ROTC, laid a wreath at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Friday, April 8, 2022 in honor of Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (MIA/POW).

He also toured the Stars & Stripes Museum next to the cemetery.  

Clark, commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Mizzou in June 1962, was awarded his pilot wings in August 1963.  He next flew C-131 Samaritan transports from October 1963 to June 1965.

He completed RF-4C Phantom II Combat Crew Training and served at RAF Alconbury, England from June 1965 to October 1966.  He then began flying combat missions in southeast Asia in October 1966.

On March 12, 1967, then a Captain, was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was immediately captured and taken as a Prisoner of War.  He spent 2,170 (5 years, 9 months) days in captivity and was released during Operation Homecoming on February 18, 1973.

After recovering from his injuries, Clark went back to college in October 1973. He then served as an instructor pilot before leaving active duty on June 10, 1977.  He spent time in the Missouri Air National Guard before joining the Air Force Reserve.  He retired from the Air Force on January 12, 1992.

MVC Deputy Director Ryan Richmond, Col John Clark, Senator Wayne Wallingford and MVC Director Paul Kirchhoff pose for a picture after the wreath laying.