United Stated Navy Rear Admiral. Born Clarence Wade McClusky Jr. in Buffalo, New York, the son of Marie Stearns and C.W. McClusky Sr. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, and, following graduation in June 1926, he joined the USS Pennsylvania, where he served until May 1927, then transferred to the the USS Williamson. In June 1928, he was stationed at the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island, before being ordered to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, where he completed flight training and was designated Naval Aviator on May 7, 1929. From July 1929 to May 1931, he served with Fighting Squadron One-B, the "High Hat Squadron," based on the USS Saratoga. He returned to the Naval Academy for post-graduate instruction, completing it in May 1934. He joined Observation Squadron 4-B attached to the USS Maryland from March 1938 to May 1940, after which he joined Fighting Squadron 6, based on the USS Enterprise, assuming command of the squadron in April 1942, participating in raids on Marshal, Gilbert, Wake, and Marcus Islands. At the Battle of Midway, he led the air attack that resulted in the sinking of the Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu. He was awarded the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Letter of Commendation with Ribbon by the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, and the Navy Cross for his actions, and the Purple Heart for wounds received at Midway. In September 1942, he reported to the staff of Commander Fleet Air, Alameda, California. He advanced to the rank of Captain, August 1, 1943. From June 1943 to August 1944, he served as Aide to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. In April 1946, he was assigned to the U.S. Naval School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he served until September 1947 as Executive Officer. From June 1951 until August 1952, he saw duty as Chief of Staff to Commander First Fleet, and Chief of Staff to Commander Seventh Fleet, serving in the latter capacity in the Korean Area. In August 1952, he assumed command of the Naval Air Station in Glenview, Illinois, and, after his detachment in February 1953, returned to the Navy Department, Washington, D.C., for duty as Assistant Director, Production Division, Office of Naval Material. In June 1954, he became Commander of the Boston Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet until he retired July 1, 1956, and was advanced to Rear Admiral on the basis of combat awards. In addition to the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Commendation Ribbon, the Ribbon for the Presidential Unit Citation to the USS Enterprise, and the Purple Heart Medal, he was entitled to the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. In the 1976 movie, "Midway," he was portrayed by actor Christopher George.