LISBON –American Legion Post 158 recently celebrated the 97th birthday of fellow member Douglas Clark, who turned 97 July 2.
Clark is the post’s oldest member.
Several of Clark’s family also attended the event, including daughter Sandi Bishop, grandson Jasper Bishop, and granddaughter Alexceus Clark, along with close friend and caregiver Marie Russell.
Clark joined the National Guard in 1941, before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He transferred from National Guard to U.S. Army, 43rd Infantry Division, 103 Regiment, Company D — continuing to Camp Weiler, Fla., for Army training.
Significant milestones in Clark’s Army career include being stationed in the South Pacific, New Zealand and New Caledonia. In November 1943, he was at Guadalcanal during the battle there. He was part of the rescue of the Marines who were pinned down on Guadalcanal, Feb. 17, 1943, as well as in New Georgia, where there was heavy fighting.
He was sent home for R&R in July 1944, but eventually he went to Japan as part of the occupation forces duty Sept. 13, 1945.
He then went on to serve in Seoul, Korea (twice) in the early 50s, retiring as a sergeant first class. He later joined the American Legion as post commander in Westbrook, later transferring to American Legion Post 158.
PHOTO: Doug Clark (BJ Govang photo)
