17 Oct 2003 "Petie" Clark was my cousin. He and John Rosamond, from nearby Dallas, died in the fighting around An Loc on 23-25 May, 1969. Petie received the Silver Star for heroism. Petie's photo shown above was included in "Vietnam: One Week's Dead" LIFE Magazine Vol. 66, No. 25 June 27, 1969 So was John Rosemond's photo. Petie, John, and the other men from Milam County, Texas, who died in the World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam are remembered on the Milam County List of Honor They all are remembered. Vietnam Casualty Sgt. Petie Clark Funeral Today Funeral services for Staff Sgt. Howe King (Petie) Clark, Jr. killed in action in Vietnam May 23, were held at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, at Peace Lutheran Church. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery. Rev. F. T. Sager of Brenham, former pastor of Peace Lutheran, officiated. As services were conducted at the church and cemetery, business houses in Rockdale closed in memoriam. U.S. flags were mounted on the streets in tribute to Sgt. Clark's service for his country. This was in response to a proclamation issued by Mayor Harold Luckey asking that a special show of respect be given. The 23-year-old soldier, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. K. (Pete) Clark of 123 Scarbrough, died in hostile action in Vietnam, Army officials said. The family had been notified May 26 that Sgt. Clark was missing in action. His death was confirmed May 27. He had been in the Army for 22 months and in Vietnam since August. He was with Company C, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 1st Infantry Division. Army officials described Sgt. Clark as an "excellent soldier who had advanced rapidly in rank during his 22 months service." He was a graduate of the Non-Commissioned Officers School at Fort Benning, Ga. His death occurred in the northern combat area of South Vietnam. His unit had spend much of its duty in that area, near Loc Ninh, and one of his recent letters to his parents noted that his unit was only about four miles from the Cambodian border. "His letters mentioned the fast-moving pace his unit maintained but he did not complain," his father said. Among many photographs Sgt. Clark sent home were scenes of village evacuations and burnings and a Viet Cong arms cache. He had taken his R&R leave in Singapore in February. His last letter to his parents was dated May 4, but a close friend, Carl Moody, who served today as a pallbearer, received a letter dated May 21, apparently written only two days before his death. Sgt. Clark was born June 13, 1946 at Cameron and graduated from Rockdale High School in May of 1964. While a student, he worked for six years part-time at McVoy Grocery & Feed Co. Following graduation from high school he attended Blinn College at Brenham for two years and also Stephen F. Austin College. He was baptized at Peach Lutheran Church on Jan. 14, 1951 and was confirmed at that church Sept. 4, 1960. Survivors are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. K. (Pete) Clark; grandparents, Mrs. J. M. Clark and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Doss; a sister, Frances Ann Clark, all of Rockdale; and a brother, Ken Lee Clark, surviving with the U.S. Air Force in Thailand. The brother, who had been in Thailand only 10 days was flown here by the Air Force for the funeral. Pallbearers were Robert Urban, Clark Cobb, Johnny Paresel, Carl Moody, Bob Melcher and Caroll Grimm, all close friends of Sgt. Clark. Sgt. Clark is the second Rockdale soldier to die in Vietnam action. The first was Sgt. Tommie Joe Clark, killed on December 16, 1968. They were not related.

 

19 Dec 2006 Dear Clark and Rosemond Families, I served with your loved ones in Vietnam in 1969. I was a driver of an APC in the 1st Platoon, Charlie Co, 2nd/2nd (Mech) C13D. Although I did not know "Petie", I quickly became friends with John. He seemed such a nice boy, easily likeable. Although he was in "Alpha" Company we met numerous times and I felt a real bond with him. I was on R&R during the period of time that battle occured in which they were killed, and was deeply saddened by the news when I heard. I often look through the Life magazine and remember all of those boys who died in just one week and reflect on just how fragile life is. When I review the list of names of the KIA in the 1st Infantry Division yearbook I am brought to tears as I remember them individually and as kindred spirits that we left behind. We all died a little there, and paid a precious price, lost innocence! I still feel guilt of being a suvivor of that horror. Peace be with you all. You are in my heart and prayers. R. T. DeFriese 10743 W Tonopah Drive, Sun City, Az 85373 defrieseartee@juno.com

 

29 Jun 2007 Dear Petie, You are gone but not forgotten. You are still loved by your family. We still miss you very much. You were always my hero, big brother. Love, Frances From his sister, Frances Clark Kyle fkyle@warpspeed1.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Second Battalion, 2nd Infantry, lost six men during the three days of fighting near An Loc, with many more wounded. The dead were SSG Howe K Clark, Rockdale TX SGT James P Duffy, Brunswick OH CPL Robert L Anderson, Middletown NY CPL John L Rosemond, Dallas TX PFC John H Platt, Early IA PFC Albert C Walls, White Plains NY

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