Clarence Wade McClusky was born in June 1902 in Buffalo, New York, to C.W. and Marie McClusky. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1926, then served for around a year on USS Pennsylvania and subsequently on USS Williamson. He completed flight training at Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, before becoming a naval aviator in May 1929.
In the following two years, McClusky joined the Fighting Squadron ONE-B and then served on the Commander Minecraft, Battle Force staff. He briefly served in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, before being assigned to the Patrol Squadron 4-B. In 1934, he again enrolled in the Naval Academy, hoping to complete post-graduate instruction and, afterward, served on USS Maryland. He then served on the Commander Aircraft Battle Force and the Commander Aircraft Base Force staffs before instructing at the Department of Seamanship and Navigation.
After his service as an instructor, McClusky joined Fighting Squadron 6, becoming commander in April 1941.
McClusky became Enterprise Air Group commander in 1942. In that position, he played a crucial role in the U.S. effort in the Battle of Midway. On June 4, 1942, he was leading a group of 32 bombers, aiming to attack Japanese aircraft carriers at a predetermined location. His group was unable to find the fleet, however. Nonetheless, McClusky spotted a single Japanese destroyer, which he decided to follow in hope of finding the main fleet. Although this action contrasted his given orders, his intuition ultimately paid off, leading his group to the Kaga and Akagi carriers, to which they destroyed. For his actions, he earned the Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, and an Air Medal. Throughout his career, he also received a Purple Heart, Korean Unit Presidential Citation and more.
After his position in the Enterprise Air Command, McClusky served with the Commander Fleet Air in Alameda, California, and also as an aide to the vice chief of naval operations. In his final position of the war, he served as commander of USS Corregidor.
After returning to the U.S., McClusky served at the Naval School of General Line in Newport, Rhode Island, and later in Monterey, California. He then served as chief of staff and aide to the Commander Carrier Division Four before attending the National War College. For the next several years, McClusky served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; as a chief of staff to Commander First Fleet and Commander Seventh Fleet; and as commander of the Naval Air Station in Glenview, Illinois, and the Boston Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet. He retired in July 1956.
McClusky died in June 1976 at the age of 74. His accomplishments live on to this day. After his death, he was portrayed in the TV miniseries “War and Remembrance,” and in 2019, his character was featured in the film “Midway.”
Prior to his death, he was portrayed in the 1976 film also called “Midway” and in the 1949 film “Task Force.”
We honor his service.
Nominate a Veteran
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s “Honoring Veterans” social media spotlight is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission
Writer: Khaled Maalouf
Editors: Ashley Shaut, Cate Manning
Researchers: Gabriella Begley
Graphic Designer: Saul Leon
Topics in this story
Link Disclaimer
This page includes links to other websites outside our control and jurisdiction. VA is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of non-VA Web sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy or terms and conditions of those sites to fully understand what information is collected and how it is used.
Statement of Endorsement
Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
More Stories
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Coast Guard Veteran Alan Spielman, who served in Alaska.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Air Force Veteran Jan Klebukowski, who served in the United States, United Kingdom and South Korea.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Navy Veteran James McDonald, who served as a Chief Metalsmith during his service.
We honor his service
I took care of Rear Admiral Mc Clusky as a Corpsman when he was a patient in the ICU of National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda. I was in attendance when he passed away in 1976.