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Interviewed by:
Bella Hay and Quinn MacDonald
1966
2017
"It was a big part of my life. It jus’, if you could survive that you could do anything in life."
~ Stephen Clark (36:45)
Name:
Stephen Thomas Clark
Date of Birth:
November 29th, 1946
Branch of Service:
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)
Dates of Service:
1966 - 1967
Location of Military Service:
Vietnam
Residence at Time of Interview:
Canton, MA 02021
Stephen Clark's Story:
Stephen Clark is one of the many Vietnam veterans we call heroes. He was born on November 29, 1946, in Boston, Massachusetts. Stephen was like any other city kid who loved to ride bikes, fish, go to baseball games, and hang with friends. When he reached high school he attended a very well known school called Boston English. Stephen excelled throughout high school which reflected in his acceptance into Northeastern University. Just like many other young adults, he did not really know what he wanted to do in life. Stephen started at Northeastern by studying civil engineering, but little did he know that his path was about to change.
While attending Northeastern University Stephen found himself not enjoying what he was doing and was longing for something different. One day while taking the bus he saw a sign that was going to change his life. It was a sign about enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. After talking with some of the soldiers and looking at what the service had to offer, Stephen decided to enlist and left soon after.
After a hard and challenging boot camp, Stephen was ready to take on Vietnam. As the months went by he made a lot of relationships with his fellow soldiers that he is still very close with today. He said that they all made a very good team during the war especially when it got tough. Stephen was very brave throughout the whole war and won many medals that can prove his bravery. He also learned many life lessons that he shares with his family every day. After the war, he continued into the construction industry and owned his own business that made very good money to raise his family with his wife Margaret. Stephen is now retired and could not be happier. He now enjoys spending time with family and traveling with friends. Stephen has had a great life and is proud to say being a Marine was a huge part of it.
American newspapers that were given to Stephen when he went back on ship.
A telegram that was sent to Stephen's parents to inform them of an injury he had to his head.
An article from Time Magazine about the Marine Corps in the Vietnam War (left). Stephen is pictured in battle (center).
Stephen's captain, who they called "Captain Mac", is pictured as well (right).
An Enemy Plan diagram in Laos, a country north of Vietnam.
(Left) A medal Stephen earned for serving in the U.S Armed Forces. (right) Stephen earned this medal by serving in the Marine Corps. (center) A Purple Heart. Stephen earned two of these medals from being injured twice. First by getting a piece of shrapnel in his head and second from a piece of shrapnel to his back.
Vietnamese propaganda that Stephen found in the jungles of Vietnam. Enemy planes would drop papers such as these over
U.S bases to both inform and threaten U.S troops.
Stephen with his regiment. He is pictured third man in on the third row from the top.
Stephen pictured (left) with a comrade (right) that was in his regiment. The two are pictured in Vietnam.
Interviewers Bella Hay (left) and Quinn Macdonald (right) pictured with Stephen (center) in December 2017.
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