Washington—The Navy announced Monday awards to three native Iowans for heroism and meritorious service in the line of duty.
Capt. Arnold J. Isbell, 44, native of Oto, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his accomplished as a captain of an antisubmarine task force in the Atlantic from July 27 to November 9, 1943. The citation said his force “achieved a notable record of submarine sinking’s in this vitally strategic area.”
The Legion of Merit was presented to Capt. Philip R. Kinney, 47, native of Aurora, communication officer with the south Atlantic force. The citation declared “his vision, initiative and administrative ingenuity have resulted in a communication organization which has enabled the south Atlantic force to wage effective warfare against the enemy to the end that the submarine menace in the south Atlantic has been brought under control, and blockade runners attempting to get through have been sunk.”
Lieut. Comdr. James S. Clark, 31, who was born in Cedar Rapids, was awarded the Silver Star medal for his work as assistant approach officer and also as torpedo and gunnery officer of a submarine in the Pacific area. He was on four war patrols and made two trips by submarine to Corregidor fortress. The citation said “his outstanding ability and inspiring leadership contributed materially to the destruction of 11 hostile vessels and the damaging of another.”
Source: The Sioux City Journal, March 28, 1944
James Seeley Clark was born Oct. 2, 1912 to Atherton Brockway and Helen Clara Seeley Clark. He died June 4, 1944 and is memorialized at the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Cdr. Clark served in World War II with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Golet (SS-361) and was MIA/FOD/KIA when that vessel was sunk, probably by depth charge attack. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com; oneternalpatrol
