Irwin Ritter Clarke

Chief Machinist’s Mate Irwin Ritter Clarke, of 826 State Street, Camden NJ, served aboard the USS Walke DD-416. Previously reported wounded, he was killed in action on November 20, 1942. He is memorialized at Plot A Row 1 Grave 060, Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Camden Mother Informed of Son’s Capture; Navy Reports I.R. Clark Killed

Lieutenant Brunislaus S. Ulak of 914 Atlantic Avenue was listed as a Japanese prisoner in the Philippines battle by the War Department last night. The list includes the names of 17 additional soldiers from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

The Navy Department also announced Irwin R. Clark, Chief Machinist Mate, of 826 State Street, previously reported wounded, was killed in action.

Lieutenant Ulak, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Ulak, was graduated from Camden High School in 1932. He entered Lehigh University, completed a ROTC course and was graduated in 1936. Before joining the Army Ulak was employed as a geologist by an oil firm.

His mother said she received the notice from the War Department December 22 that her son was a prisoner. She got another letter Christmas Eve.

“The fact we learned he is still alive was the best Christmas gift we received,” Mrs. Ulak said. “We had not heard from him since June. We knew he had gone from Bataan seven days before the Japs took Corregidor.”

“His last letter was written in May. We did not get it until the following month. He said he was writing it by the light of the moon on Corregidor. He said the Americans were going through hell”

“I hope this letter is received because I am writing it under dramatic circumstances” he wrote.

The letter apparently had been placed in a second envelope and given to another person who got off the island before it fell to the Japs.

Lieutenant Ulak has a brother, George, who is a sergeant at Fort Shelby.