Dozens of Illinoisans died at Pearl Harbor

By Tom Emery

It is known as "the day that will live in infamy." Like the rest of the nation, the people of Illinois felt its scars.

Wednesday, Dec. 7, marks the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, which left 2,403 Americans dead. Among them were dozens of Illinoisans, including George Francis Clark, 20, of Paris, who was lost on the USS Arizona.

Born in Paris on March 31, 1921, Clark's father was a taxi driver. The family resided at 1208 South Marshall Street.

The fifth of eight children, Clark attended the local high school but never graduated. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at St. Louis on Jan. 16, 1...