Clarke Jr., Benjamin

Title: Clarke Jr., Benjamin
Performer: Benjamin Clarke Jr.
Interviewer: Lester Heddle; Pam Heddle
Description: Benjamin Clark was born on November 11, 1919, in Fogo, Newfoundland. He enlisted in the Army Air Force following high school. After basic and advanced training, Benjamin was assigned to the 306th Squadron "Hells Angels" as a waist gunner on a B-17. After six missions, his plane was shot down and he became a POW. Of the ten crew members, only seven survived. After his capture by the Germans, he was taken to a Stalag 17-B where he spent more than two years. Since there were spies in the camps, he was especially careful to whom he spoke. After two years in camp, all prisoners were forced to walk 800 miles to the front lines, because the Germans were trying to avoid the Russians. General Patton rescued the prisoners and informed them that "...you guys are back in the U. S. Army." Mr. Clark was discharged on September 27, 1945 and returned to Dearborn, Michigan.
Date Span: 1942-1945; Dates of Service
Subject: Drafted; United States Army Air Forces/Corps; 360th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group; World War, 1939-1945; Second World War - European Theater; Technical Sergeant; Prisoner of War
Publisher: Center for Oral History Research at Eastern Michigan University
Collection Location: 1/30; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgnHnnYIr5A&list=PL05gqqIuA4HK1S_labZh5qO9iutjJf_gO&index=20
Spatial Coverage: Second World War - European Theater