WWII Vet Bob Clark (2)- Amazing Escapes - Pacific

Part 2 of 2 - Robert Clark was one of the wounded on USS Marblehead in Feb 1942 who were transferred to Java hospitals. (See movie of era - The Story of Dr. Wassel). Marblehead was so damaged it was sent back stateside for repairs. USS Houston remained with other allied cruisers which were all sunk by March1. Early March the Japanese were taking Java with troops. The wounded from Houston and Marblehead were shipped out on any available vessel. He left on USS Sturgeon (a submarine) after being chosen by lottery and landed safely in Freemantle Australia. Others left on the Pecos which was sunk - survivors going to USS Langley - which was sunk. Those surviving Langley were picked up by one of two destroyers providing assistance. The lucky ones made it to the deck of the Whipple. The other ship, the Edsall was lost later that day without a trace ( epic story in book -" A Blue Sea of Blood" -- Kehn). Surviving this epic disaster of sea battles -- he came back to the states and then served further in the Pacific War. If you understand the circumstances of the Asiatic Fleet and the start of the Pacific War ( The Asiatic Fleet was to defend the Philippines and Java until the Pacific Fleet from Pearl Harbor could arrive to help according to the war plan). The Pacific Fleet never showed up and we know why. The Asiatic Fleet and its morphed Allied group of Australian, British and Dutch ships ( ABDA FLEET) was wiped out. Bob was there. Learn more www.usasiaticfleet.org. See part 2 of this interview. (see part 1 )

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Education

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