Senate Resolution No. 5928

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Otto F. Clark posthumously upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Otto F.
Clark posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Otto F. Clark began his military service as a member of the
United States Army on March 13, 1976; he was trained as an Airborne
Infantryman and participated in the invasion of Grenada in October of
1983; and

WHEREAS, Otto F. Clark was accepted to the United States Army
Special Forces Qualification Course and reclassified as a Special Forces
Medical Sergeant in 1987; he deployed to Panama during the 1989 invasion
attached to the United States Army Special Operation Command; and

WHEREAS, SPC Otto F. Clark was Jumpmaster and HALO qualified, among
his many specialized training qualifications; he would eventually be
selected to join the United States Army's most elite unit, 1st Special
Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, informally known as Delta Force; he
deployed for Operation Desert Storm to Saudi Arabia in preparation of
the invasion of Iraq; here, he and members of Delta Force executed
highly classified missions, in small teams, behind enemy lines; and

WHEREAS, On February 21, 1991, while on such a mission, the
helicopter SPC Otto F. Clark was in crashed; three Delta operators,
including SPC Clark, were killed; and

WHEREAS, Buried in the Corinth Cemetery, Otto F. Clark was
posthumously promoted to the esteemed title of Master Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Otto F. Clark demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Otto F. Clark posthumously upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Otto F. Clark.