Paul Franklin Clark was born on June 15, 1923. He was the son of Virgil Clark and Emma Holt Clark. He was married to Bettye Jean Bowling Clark.

Paul served in the 381st Fighter Squadron, 363rd Fighter Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot on the P-51 #42-106729 during World War II.

On June 24, 1944, 2Lt Clark took off from Station 413 airfield in Staplehurst, England, on a mission to Chartres/Châteaudun, France. He experienced aircraft damage when his bombs exploded, flying at a too-low altitude. 2Lt Clark evacuated his aircraft and his plane crashed towards Connerré - 22 km northwest of Châteaudun. With the aid of the maquis, he was able to survive and return to England. 2Lt Clark was one of the 152 allied airmen and soldiers who were helped and hidden in the Freteval Forest camp by the French Resistance to evade German capture.

Clark achieved his highest rank in the military as Lieutenant Colonel. He died on August 26, 2000, at the age of 77, and is now buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net