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CLARK, Eugene Henry 1892-1918

CLARK, DEA

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 9/6/2010 at 15:31:48

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
12 Oct 1918
Page 11

Gunner Clark Latest Hero

Son of Waterloo Home That Has Four Stars in Service Flag -- On Destroyer.

In a home out at 110 Leland avenue, a little mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Clark, in the evening of life, have made the supreme sacrifice for their country, for today they mourn the loss of their oldest son, Eugene Harry (sic) Clark, who met death on the U. S. destroyer Shaw in a collision with a British vessel Oct. 9. News of his death came last night in a press telegram, giving details of the accident.

Four Brothers in the Army.

Eugene Clark is one of four brothers, the entire family, who have volunteered to serve their country, the others, now being in France, members of Co. B, 133 Inf. He was a veteran in the navy, enlisting at the age of 18 and completing a four year's term in 1916. He returned to Waterloo, remaining here until March 11, 1917, when he again enlisted at the call for experienced sailors. He was 25 years old in June last.

At San Francisco he was assigned to the destroyer Shaw, which was just launched and had been gunner's mate on that ship since. Coming thru the Panama canal, the Shaw demonstrated its swiftness by reaching European waters and entering a service against U boats in less than ten days. Much active and thrilling duty was encountered and Gunner Clark was unable to visit home for the past two years. on Jan. 12 of this year he was married at Cork, Ireland, to Miss Mary Dea, who now resides with her parents at Queenstown, which place was the headquarters of the Shaw crew while in foreign waters.

Where Blue Turns to Gold.

In the home of Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Clark, a beautiful service flag with four stars hangs in the window, marking the patriotism and valor of this Waterloo family. It was recently made the subject of a commendatory article in the Courier and Reporter. Now that one star has turned to gold, the citizens of Waterloo and the state will combine in honoring the little family and revering the memory of the son and sailor who gave his life for the nation and the freedom of the world. The other boys in the service are Sergt. Andrew, Sergt. Harry and Company Cook Leon.

Destruction of the Shaw.

The Associated Press account of the destruction of the destroyer Shaw is as follows:

Washington, Oct. 12. -- In a collision between the United States destroyer Shaw and a British vessel, Oct. 9, two officers and eleven enlisted men of the destroyer were lost. Thirteen other members of the crew were injured. The collision occurred in British waters.

The destroyer was able to make port under her own steam, the navy department said tonight in announcing the collision, which, according to reports, was caused by the jamming of the destroyer's steering gear.

Lieut. George F. Parrott, jr., of Kingston, N. C., and John D. Edwards of Buckroe Beach, Va., were the officers lost.

Among the others listed as lost are the following Iowans: Eugene Harry Clark, Waterloo, and John M. Glynn, 219 Scott street, Davenport.

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
8 Oct 1919
Page 6

Memories of Hero Who Died One Year Ago Are Revived

Yesterday was the anniversary of the death by drowning of Eugene Clark, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Clark, who was a seaman in the service of the United States navy.

At the home in Linden memories of the sad occurrence caused the parents, the widow and the brothers to mourn anew.

Eugene Clark lost his life when he was swept from the deck of a ship after replacing in its rack a depth bomb that had been loosed thru the heaving of the vessel. If the bomb had dropped into the water it would have exploded and the ship would probably have been blown up with heavy loss of life. At the risk of his own life the young seaman recovered the death dealing device which was meant for a German submarine.

Mary Josephine, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Clark, was born Oct. 21, 1918, two weeks after her father lost his life. Yesterday she was darting about the home like a sunbeam. She has walked since she was nine months old, and her heavy auburn locks make her appear much older than she is.

Mrs. Clark arrived with her young babe last spring, coming from her home in Ireland, on a ship that brought 60 or 70 other war brides.


 

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