Clark Simmons - Pearl Harbor Survivor, entered the service of the U.S. Navy in 1940 and was soon to be stationed on the U.S.S Utah. Mr.Simmons stated "That when I enlisted in the Navy there were no positions for a black man at that time all one could be is a porter, shine shoes, make beds and serve meals to the officers". During the attack on Pearl Harbor Mr. Simmons acted with distinction along with many of his ship mates. It is important to acknowledge that Petty Officer First Class Simmons volunteered into service of the U.S. Navy before the hostilities began with Imperial Japan. We honor Mr. Simmons today as one of the many brave Black Americans as he went on to become a role model for future generations.
