Myrtle Beach in Horry County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Lt Col Colin Arnold Clarke

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 18, 2017

1. Lt Col Colin Arnold Clarke Marker

Inscription.
Lt Col Colin Arnold "Arnie" Clarke was born on August 31, 1935, in Seattle, Washington.

Lt Col Clarke accumulated several hundred flying hours in United States Air Force aircraft, most notably the F-100 Super Sabre and the A-7D Corsair II. He joined the 354th Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in May 1971 and deployed with the Wing to Southeast Asia operating from Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in support of the war in Vietnam. While there he flew as an A-7D Sandy pilot whose mission was to support the rescue and recovery of downed pilots. On one such mission over North Vietnam on 18 November 1972, he directed the successful rescue and recovery of two downed pilots.

The President of the United States awarded the Air Force Cross to Maj Colin A. Clarke for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as On-Scene Commander for search and rescue operations over North Vietnam on 18 November 1972. On that date, Maj Clarke directed an extremely complex mission that resulted in the successful recovery of two downed airmen despite adverse weather, mountainous terrain, and intense hostile

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ground fire. Disregarding these hazards, his own safety, and battle damage to his aircraft, he personally guided the rescue helicopter to the survivor's location, suppressed hostile defenses, and continued to direct rescue efforts even though he sustained additional damage to his aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Maj Clarke reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Photo of Lt Col Clarke, courtesy of Veteran Tributes

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam.

Location. 33° 40.052′ N, 78° 56.39′ W. Memorial is in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County. It is at the intersection of Hackler Street and Howard Avenue when traveling east on Hackler Street. Located in Market Common Valor Memorial Garden. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Myrtle Beach SC 29577, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is on South Carolina’s Grand Strand

and in the Pee Dee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 18, 2017

2. Lt Col Colin Arnold Clarke Marker

in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Desert Storm (here, next to this marker); Mr. Fred Nash (a few steps from this marker); The Cuban Missile Crisis (a few steps from this marker); Valor in Combat (a few steps from this marker); The Berlin Crisis 1961 (a few steps from this marker); Prisoners of War and Missing in Action (a few steps from this marker); Cold War - Dominican Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Stephen Richard Phillis (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Myrtle Beach.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 887 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.