Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He enlisted in the 125th New York Volunteer Infantry on August 27, 1862, and was mustered into Company E as a Corporal. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery on the Second Day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (July 2, 1863). His citation reads "Seized the colors and advanced with them after the color bearer had been shot". His brigade, commanded by Colonel George Willard, had been ordered from the Bryan farm south to Plum Run to stop the attack by General William Barksdale's Mississippi brigade that threatened to break the Union line. As soon as Col Willard ordered the attack, he was killed and the color bearer and several members of the color guard were killed or wounded. Corporal Clark grabbed the flag and led the regiment as they charged the Mississippians. The Confederates repulsed, his unit then returned to its initial position near Cemetery Hill, having lost over 100 men. His bravery that day earned him a field promotion to color Sergeant. He would be recommended for the Medal of Honor in January 1865, but it was not awarded until June 11, 1895. At the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864, he was shot in the leg, but continued fighting. A few days later, his leg was removed and he remained in a hospital until September 1865. For this bravery during the Battle of the Wilderness he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on the battlefield. However, he was never mustered in at the officer's rank. He was honorably discharged and released from hospital on September 4, 1865 at Albany, New York.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He enlisted in the 125th New York Volunteer Infantry on August 27, 1862, and was mustered into Company E as a Corporal. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery on the Second Day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (July 2, 1863). His citation reads "Seized the colors and advanced with them after the color bearer had been shot". His brigade, commanded by Colonel George Willard, had been ordered from the Bryan farm south to Plum Run to stop the attack by General William Barksdale's Mississippi brigade that threatened to break the Union line. As soon as Col Willard ordered the attack, he was killed and the color bearer and several members of the color guard were killed or wounded. Corporal Clark grabbed the flag and led the regiment as they charged the Mississippians. The Confederates repulsed, his unit then returned to its initial position near Cemetery Hill, having lost over 100 men. His bravery that day earned him a field promotion to color Sergeant. He would be recommended for the Medal of Honor in January 1865, but it was not awarded until June 11, 1895. At the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864, he was shot in the leg, but continued fighting. A few days later, his leg was removed and he remained in a hospital until September 1865. For this bravery during the Battle of the Wilderness he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on the battlefield. However, he was never mustered in at the officer's rank. He was honorably discharged and released from hospital on September 4, 1865 at Albany, New York.
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