Bernard A. Clarey
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Bernard Ambrose Clarey | |
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| Other work | Bank of Hawaii, President |
Bernard Ambrose Clarey (May 4, 1912 – June 15, 1996),
Early life and career
Clarey was born in
His first assignment after graduation was to the
World War II
Clarey was executive officer on board Dolphin at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked the Naval Base on December 7, 1941, and subsequently made one war patrol in Dolphin to the Marshall Islands.
After commissioning the
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the performance of his duties in the USS Amberjack during a war patrol of that vessel..." he was awarded the Silver Star. The citation further states: "As Assistant Approach Officer, his outstanding skill, excellent judgement and thorough knowledge of attack problems assisted his Commanding Officer considerably in conducting a series of successful torpedo attacks, which resulted in the sinking and damaging of enemy ships totalling more than 43,000-tons. In addition, he was of great assistance in conducting a successful reconnaissance of four enemy positions and completing a vital special mission, contributing immensely to the success of his vessel in evading extremely severe enemy countermeasures..."
Clarey made one additional patrol to the
Under his command, Pintado reached the Pacific in May 1944, and on her first war patrol in the area west of the
For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the USS Pintado, during the first war patrol of that vessel in enemy Japanese-controlled waters, from May 16 to July 1, 1944. Maneuvering his ship through powerful escort screens, Lieutenant Commander Clarey launched repeated aggressive attacks to sink three Japanese freighters and damage a large freighter despite severe hostile countermeasures...
He was awarded a second Navy Cross, denoted by a
He was awarded a third Navy Cross, denoted by a second Gold Star affixed to the suspension and service ribbon of his original medal, for Pintado's third war patrol, in enemy-controlled waters of the South China Sea, between October 9, 1944, and January 1, 1945. The citation states: "Carrying out his duties as Officer in Tactical Command, Commander Clarey skillfully directed the coordinated search for his attack group known as "Clarey's Crushers", against a retiring enemy Task Force and contributed to the destruction of a Japanese light cruiser. He further led his submarines in an attack to sink a destroyer and damage an aircraft carrier. On the night of December 12–13, he conducted three surface attacks, in heavy seas, to sink two enemy merchantmen, which contributed to Pintado's sinking of over 40,000-tons of Japanese shipping".
Clarey also wore a ribbon for the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to Pintado.
Detached from Pintado in April 1945, he was assigned to the staff of
Post-war, through late 1950s
Following
In June 1949, he returned to the
In June 1951, he reported as executive officer of the
After a tour as Commander Submarine Division Fifty Two from May 1952 to July 1953 in San Diego, he was ordered to the Politico-Military Policy Division, as Director Far East Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
He was a student at the National War College from August 1955 to June 1956.
In August 1956, he was assigned at Pearl Harbor as chief of staff to COMSUBPAC.
In August 1958, he became commanding officer of fleet oiler
Flag assignments
Clarey was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral in July 1958 and in August 1958 was assigned as Director for Military Personnel Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). In July 1962, Rear Admiral Clarey again reported to Pearl Harbor as Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPACFLT). For exceptionally meritorious service in this position, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
On June 3, 1964, Clarey was promoted to
Returning to the
In December 1970, he returned to Pearl Harbor as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT) in what was to be his terminal assignment. Admiral Clarey was relieved of duty on September 30, 1973, and retired from the navy with the rank of admiral on October 1, 1973.
Admiral Clarey served as a vice president for the Bank of Hawaii from 1973 to 1977 and died June 15, 1996, at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.
Family
Admiral Clarey married Jean Webster Scott (1918–2009), the daughter of Captain Leon B. Scott (USNA '15), on May 27, 1937, in Groton, Connecticut. They had two sons: Rear Admiral (retired) Stephen S. Clarey (born 1940) of Coronado, California, and Michael O. Clarey (born 1946) of Sydney, Australia. Tennis journalist Christopher Clarey is his grandson.[1][2]
Military Awards and honors
While on active duty, Admiral Clarey earned three
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Navy Cross with two gold stars
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal with four gold stars | Silver Star | Legion of Merit |
Combat V
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Presidential Unit Citation
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American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal |
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver and four bronze stars
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World War II Victory Medal
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National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star | Korean Service Medal with one bronze star |
Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)
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Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
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Philippine Liberation Medal with one bronze star | United Nations Korea Medal
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Civilian Awards and honors
A long-time supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, Admiral Clarey was presented the
Namesake
In 1998, the floating bridge connecting Ford Island to the mainland was named the Admiral Clarey Bridge in Clarey's honor.
See also
Admiral Clarey Bridge honors his advocating public-private sector collaborations.
References
- ^ Johnson, Christine (November 11, 2021). "CHS Grad Christopher Clarey Covers The Game Of Tennis". Coronado Eagle & Journal. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ Clarey, Christopher [@christophclarey] (November 11, 2019). "Love and respect on Veterans Day to my family" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
External links
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