Head and neck surgeon Dr. William B. Clark cares for patients through ENT Associates of Northwest Florida. A former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Dr. William B. Clark enjoys spending his free time reading about military history. In celebration of the November 2018 centennial of the end of World War I, the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission republished an article looking back at the actions of the U.S. Marine Corps in Europe during the historic conflict. Among the key events discussed was the battle of Belleau Wood. Occurring over three weeks in the spring of 1918, the battle of Belleau Wood saw the Marines called into action to blunt a German offensive that, if successful, would have likely resulted in the fall of Paris. At the time, the Marines was a small force that had yet to establish the reputation it has today. In fact, before they war, the Marines had largely been relegated to security duties and were often derided for their ornate uniforms. Eager to prove themselves as a capable ground force, the Marines displayed expert marksmanship and sustained tenacity during the battle, repeatedly attacking the German lines. Their efforts came at a heavy cost, as nearly 10,000 Americans were killed or wounded. However, the Marines also succeeded in turning back the Germans. Recognizing their valor, the French Army acknowledged the Marines valiant effort by renaming Belleau Wood in their honor. Today, the battle is described as what one historian calls “a defining moment” for the Marines, one that proved their mettle as a fighting force.
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As owner of ENT Associates of Northwest Florida, Dr. William B. Clark provides patients with diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. Dr. William B. Clark is an avid reader who particularly enjoys books of military history. One of the New York Times bestsellers of 2015 was Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger’s Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History. The book recounts a little-known episode that occurred in early 1801, directly after Jefferson’s inauguration as president. Typically focused on diplomatic solutions, the new head of state decided that the pirates based in Tripoli (now the de jure capital of Libya) must be confronted head on. They had been kidnapping U.S. sailors, taking over ships, and generally disrupting international trade. The infant American Navy mustered three frigates to form a blockade of Tripoli and protect shipping interests. This strategy was having some effect when the USS Philadelphia ran aground in the harbor it was blockading and was captured by Tripoli pirates. One American sailor risked his life in sneaking onto the ship and making sure it burned and was of no use to the enemy. Jefferson subsequently authorized a dramatic attack by Marines on the port city of Derna. The mission required a 500-mile trek through the desert. These early military accomplishments in the Mediterranean were immortalized in the first verse of the Marine Corps Hymn. |
AuthorDr. William B. Clark Archives
January 2017
CategoriesAll American Cancer Society Books Cadence Cycling Dr. William B. Clark Medical Sports |