Homecoming Hero
Major Thomas E. Clark’s Journey from Emporium to Laos and Back, a Tale of Sacrifice, Community, and Gratitude.
About
About Major Thomas E. Clark
Thomas Edward Clark, born on April 15, 1939, was an avid outdoorsman and accomplished athlete from Emporium, Pennsylvania. After graduating with honors from Cameron County High School in 1957, he attended Penn State University before receiving an appointment to the Air Force Academy, where he graduated in 1963. Clark, a pilot and aspiring politician, married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Mottern, the same year.
On February 8, 1969, Captain Clark’s F-100D Super Sabre was hit during a mission over Laos, and he was declared Killed in Action (KIA), Body not Recovered (BNR). Years later, in 2009, human remains were excavated and identified as Thomas E. Clark’s, leading to his family being notified in June 2011.
Major Clark was welcomed home by the Emporium community on October 20, 2011, with various tributes along the way, including a Pennsylvania State Police escort and Patriot Riders. The community lined the streets to honor their local hero, with special gestures like flags at half-staff by Governor Corbett and a scholarship established by the Clark family for a Cameron County High School senior.
How We’re Helping
How we are giving back in his honor
12+
Students helped
We’ve helped 12 students since the beginning of the scholarship
2012
The first scholarship
Since that year, twelve scholarship awards have been presented to outstanding graduates from Cameron County High School
$6,100+
Funds awarded
Scholarship funds have been used to award exemplary students