Lloyd Nolan Clarke was born on September 22, 1916, in Nebraska. He was the son of William Adolph Clarke and Bertha Alma "Allie" Milbourn Clarke. He was married to Evelyn Ruth Harse Clarke. He entered military service in February 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the fall of 1943, later promoted to first lieutenant. He was stationed overseas in Italy beginning February 1, 1944, and served as a pilot with the 780th Bomb Squadron, 465th Bomb Group (Heavy), flying B-24 Liberator #42-78308 during World War II.

On August 3, 1944, the B-24 Liberator 42-78308 took part in a major bombing mission over Austria. As the formation passed through the heavily defended Tyrol region it was met by intense German resistance, including heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter interception. During this violent engagement, one of the largest air battles over Tyrol in the war in which eight B-24s from the same group were lost, the aircraft was critically hit and went down near Biberwier, Austria. It was destroyed, resulting in four crew members killed in action while the remaining crew survived by bailing out and were captured as prisoners of war.

1Lt Clarke successfully bailed out, was captured by German forces, and was held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia, Bavaria. He died on July 25, 1967, and is now buried in the Rest-Haven Memorial Park, Eugene, Lane County, Oregon, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, Aviation Safety Network