Legendary M-60 Machine Gunner Johnnie Clark
Johnny Clark is introduced as a decorated Vietnam War veteran who served as an M-60 machine gunner with the 5th Marine Regiment, earning multiple combat decorations including the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. Since his military service, he has become an accomplished martial artist and author, with his book 'Guns Up' selected for the Marine Corps Commandant's Reading List.
Summary
Johnny Clark joined the United States Marine Corps at age 17, directly after high school in St. Petersburg, Florida. At just 18 years old, he was deployed to Vietnam and assigned as a machine gunner to the 5th Marine Regiment. He arrived in the middle of the Battle of Hue City, one of the conflict's most significant engagements. During his combat service, Clark was wounded three separate times—by mortar fire, grenade shrapnel, and gunshot wounds. For his service and bravery under fire, he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, three Purple Hearts for his combat wounds, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Following his military career, Clark transitioned into martial arts, achieving the rank of 8th Dan Grand Master in Taekwondo and earning induction into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He has authored nine books throughout his lifetime, with his memoir 'Guns Up' becoming particularly significant—it was selected for inclusion on the Commandant's Reading List, making it required or recommended reading for every newly commissioned officer attending the Basic School.
Key Insights
- Johnny Clark joined the Marine Corps at age 17 straight out of high school and was deployed to Vietnam at age 18, arriving in the middle of the Battle of Hue City
- Clark sustained three separate combat wounds during his service—from mortar fire, grenade shrapnel, and gunshot—earning three Purple Hearts
- Clark was awarded the Silver Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm for his combat service
- Clark achieved the rank of 8th Dan Grand Master in Taekwondo and became a member of the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame after his military service
- Clark's book 'Guns Up' is on the Marine Corps Commandant's Reading List and is recommended reading for every newly commissioned officer at the Basic School
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] Johnny Clark, you joined the Marine Corps at 17 years old, straight out of high school [music] in St. Petersburg, Florida. Arrived in Vietnam at 18, assigned as a machine gunner to the 5th Marine Regiment in [music] the middle of the Battle of Hue City. You're wounded three times in combat, a mortar, a grenade, and a gunshot, and were awarded the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. You are now an 8th Dan Grand Master of Taekwondo, a member of [music] the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. You've written nine books, and Guns Up [0:31] sits on the Commandant's [music] Reading List, recommended to every newly commissioned officer at…
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