Lieutenant Ray Henry Clark, ca, 1930s (Source: Clark Family Album)

Ray Henry Clark (Ray, not Raymond) was a relatively frequent visitor to the Davis-Monthan Airfield, landing 14 times over the six years between November, 1925 and June, 1931. The majority of his itineraries were between El Paso, TX and San Diego, CA and his mounts included various versions of the DH-4 as well as the O-2, PT-1 and BT-2B.
 

Clark enjoyed a long career in the Army and later the U.S. Air Force, rising from a private in the Signal Corps to brigadier general in the Army and USAF. A partial biography for General Clark is available at the link.

Born in Gueydan, Louisiana in 1896, he entered the Air Service in 1918 and re-entered in 1921, having been commissioned a 1st lieutenant. During the years in which he visited Davis-Monthan, he had various assignments, including Engineering and Transportation Officer for the 12th Observation Squadron at Ft. Bliss and Ft. Sam Houston, TX through 1926. He then became Assistant to the Engineering Officer, Rockwell Air Intermediate Depot for several years.

It is easy to see why Clark's home base citations in the Register switched from the El Paso Area to Rockwell Field over the course of his 14 visits at Tucson. At right is how he looked in 1930, about a year before his last Tucson visit. Another photograph of him is on this site at the Cosgrove Collection.

In 1925, Lieutenant Clark was one of ten Air Service pilots chosen to participate in the 1925 National Air Races (NAR) at Mitchell Field on Long Island. Clark flew in the Liberty Engine Builders Trophy Race, and finished in sixth place. An account of the race from the perspective of a famous French observer can be found at the link (PDF 244kb). The event was won by the French, with Captain Henry LeMaitre in the cockpit and cited at the link.

Below, a photograph of Lieutenant Clark suited up for flight in a DH-4, possibly a DH-4M-2P photo recon version (does anyone KNOW the type?) Lettering on the side of airplane reads “BY ORDER OF CHIEF OF AIR SERVICE [AIRPLANE] IS TO BE USED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK ONLY.”

R.H. Clark, Date Unknown (Source: Clark Family Album)

Notice the camera mounted on the far side of the rear cockpit in the photo above.

According to his online biography, subsequent to his assignments in Texas, he was posted to Hawaii where the following photos were taken.

Lt. Clark with his first wife Louise, who passed away at a young age. Photo possibly taken in Hawaii, 1930s (Source: Clark Family Album)

Below, having a good old time with a banjo-picking friend. Clark strums a banjolele while his wife joins in the fun. Location is possibly Hawaii, 1930s.

Clark (R), Wife and Friend in Hawaii (Source: Clark Family Album)

Clark held various positions in the Army Air Force during WWII, including an assignment in the China-Burma-India, with the 10th Air Force. He was a commanding officer of air bases in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, as well as Inspector of Air Bases.

Colonel Ray Clark Posing in Front of the Taj Mahal, Agra, India During WWII (Source: Clark Family Album)

Following a postwar stint in the Army’s Inspector General Department, his final assignment came in 1951 when he was appointed commander of Amarillo Air Force Base, which had recently been reactivated. The base became the first Air Force all-jet mechanic training base, and by 1952 the program reached a planned maximum of 3,500 students. The Amarillo community was undoubtedly happy to see the air base re-opened, but, typical of such USAF actions, the influx of thousands of trainees and support personnel must have placed a burden on the city’s infrastructure.

To aid in a smooth air base activation, Clark became very active in community outreach programs and public relations to demonstrate the Air Force’s commitment to the community. An indication of his participation in community activities is shown in photographs that were obtained from the Amarillo Public Library Web site. These photos are in association with the opening of the base. Below, Clark receives a scrapbook of publicity items about Amarillo and its new base during the Armistice Day official opening and dedication of Amarillo Air Force Base from Mr. T. W. Gilstrap, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce president.

Amarillo AFB Public Outreach (Source: Amarillo Public Library)

Below, Amarillo Mayor Gene Klein presents Colonel Clark, commanding officer of Amarillo Air Force Base with a new Amarillo Stetson at an Amarillo Club dinner commemorating the Armistice Day opening and dedication of Amarillo Air Force Base. Officer seated is Major General Eugene L. Eubank (not a Register signer).

Amarillo AFB Public Outreach (Source: Amarillo Public Library)

Clark retired in 1953, by which time the air base had been declared a permanent installation, four new training courses had been added, and the number of students had climbed to about 5,000. He had amassed more than 8,000 hours in his flying career in the Army and Air Force.

General Clark passed away in Amarillo on October 27, 1955. Article below from unsourced Amarillo newspaper.

Obituary, Unsourced & Undated Article, Ca. October 27, 1955 (Source: Clark Family Album)

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