Reported Missing On Same Day
Corp. Hammond Lost His Life
HOPEDALE, May 25 [1943] - More than a year has passed since the news reached Herbert B. Clark, 19 Progress Street, that his son, Lt. Leverett Brooker Clark, was reported as missing by the War Department. No further word has reached his relatives since that date from the department and it is believed that he is dead.
The strange coincidence which comes to mind in reviewing the cases of Lt.Clark, who was reported as missing May 8, 1942, and that of Corp. Lowell K. Hammond, who was killed in action, is that the report of Corp. Hammond's supreme sacrifice occurred on the same date, May 8, 1942.
Both graduated from Hopedale High School, Lt. Clark in 1934 and Corp. Hammond in 1936. The story of Corp. Hammond's school days has been written and his record in the U.S. service is one of achievement and sacrifice. Lt. Clark's story, also outstanding, is packed with action.
His love of living and of doing things well dates back to his school days here, when he was one of the finest swimmers at the bathhouse. He never lost his love for the sport and it stood him in good stead during his lifetime.
Following graduation, he worked for the Draper Corp. two years and then entered Rhode Island State College, graduating in 1941 with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. While there he obtained a pilot's license at Hillsgrove and he also met and fell in love with Miss Margaret Brown of Westerly, a fellow student, who was later to become his bride.
Lt. Clark's fraternity was Tau Kappa Epsilon, in which he served as president and he resided at the frat house three years. In 1940 he was judged the finest shot in the school, bringing the college from sixth to second place by his excellent marksmanship.
During the hurricane of 1938 Lt. Clark accompanied by several other students in [several words missing] went to Narragansett for a swim and upon witnessing the plight of people marooned by the storm, rescued scores of persons by backing up a row boat for three hours. He also served the Red Cross by carrying provisions two days to 30 families who were in the flooded districts.
Leaving Rhode Island State, he attended Parks Air College, East St. Louis, graduating as top sergeant, going from there to Randolph Field, Tex., where after six weeks, he was commissioned a lieutenant. His duties were that of a supply officer. His next destination was Ellington Field, where he was placed in charge of 15 men and 45 planes for two weeks until the position could be filled permanently.
Jackson, Miss., was the next stop in his training course and then on April 8, 1942, his father received a telegram dated Columbia, S.C., bearing the message, "Going over." That day Lt. Clark and his college sweetheart, Miss Margaret Brown, were married in the Presbyterian Church in Columbia and fate decreed that they should have a two weeks' honeymoon as his departure overseas was delayed.
Lt. Clark and his crew took off from West Palm Beach, hopping from there to Brazil and then to Dakar, Africa. News of their arrival in Accra reached home but from there their whereabouts are shrouded in mystery. His status has not been declared by the War Department.
A story of a plane which left at the same time as Lt. Clark's from the same base, recently appeared in the news. The flyers were missing for seven months and traveled through jungle wilderness to safety.
The story related that they were unable to land at their proper destination and found that the plane's metal tool box was magnetized. A similar fate may have overtaken Lt. Clark and his crew.
Mrs. Clark is carrying on and recently spent a day here with Lt. Clark's father. She is one of the 50 young women chosen by the Guggenheim Foundation for a special course and is attending the Riverside University, New York, where she is studying engineering. When her course is completed, she will be employed by the United Aircraft Corp. at Stratfort, Ct.
Lt. Clark's father is carrying on, too. All about him, in his home , orderly arranged, are mementoes of his son. They include the A.L. medal awarded to him at his grammar school graduation and the Washington-Franklin history medal he received on his graduation from high school, pictures of his childhood, young manhood and in flying togs. There are letters and citations recording his achievements in swimming, shooting and flying. Memories of deeds well done by a courageous young man in his 26th year of life. They are pleasant to live with, the memoirs of a war hero. Milford Daily News.
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