Joseph James “Jocko” Clark was a pioneer in naval aviation who commanded carriers and ultimately achieved the rank of full Admiral, the highest military rank ever achieved by a Native American.  Clark was born November 12, 1893 at Chelsea, Okla.  In 1917, he became the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy. During World War II he commanded the USS Suwanee (ACV-27).  Following the loss of the USS Yorktown in the Battle of Midway, Clark was assigned to command the new USS Yorktown (CV-10) from 4 April 1943 until 10 February 1944.  Yorktown's first combat operation was part of a strike against Marcus Island in August 1943.  Clark received a promotion to Rear Admiral and given command of Task Force 58.

As commander of Task Force 58 he made the USS Hornet CV-12 his flagship as he led naval forces in the Marianas campaign which included the Battle of the Philippine Sea.  It was during that battle that he ordered his ships to turn their lights on at night to allow his planes to return safely at the risk of revealing the fleet’s position to the enemy.

Joseph James “Jocko” Clark was a pioneer in naval aviation who commanded carriers and ultimately achieved the rank of full Admiral, the highest military rank ever achieved by a Native American.  Clark was born November 12, 1893 at Chelsea, Okla.  In 1917, he became the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy. During World War II he commanded the USS Suwanee (ACV-27).  Following the loss of the USS Yorktown in the Battle of Midway, Clark was assigned to command the new USS Yorktown (CV-10) from 4 April 1943 until 10 February 1944.  Yorktown's first combat operation was part of a strike against Marcus Island in August 1943.  Clark received a promotion to Rear Admiral and given command of Task Force 58.