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Karl E. Clark Park

Karl E. Clark was serving as a steward first class aboard the USS Aaron Ward destroyer when it was attacked by six Japanese kamikazes near Okinawa on May 3, 1945. Clark was credited with heroically saving the ship by single-handedly putting out the many fires threatening to sink it. Clark was also credited with rescuing his injured shipmates and carrying them to the infirmary for urgent medical care despite being badly injured himself. The destroyer’s captain acknowledged that Clark had saved the ship; however, because of Clark's race, it took more than six decades for him to receive full recognition for his courageous actions. In 2012, Karl E. Clark received the long overdue Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with the Combat Distinguished Device.

Beyond his accomplishments in the military, Clark made many contributions to the community throughout his lifetime as a community activist and mentor. He was an accomplished author of three books and helped establish the Onetta Harris Community Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula.

On January 15, 2018, the single-acre Karl E. Clark Park was officially dedicated in his honor.