By Daniel Brooks, BucksLocalNews.com

Like many Bucks County residents, Leon Clark headed over to the Army Recruitment Center in Bristol one day to sign up for military duty because it seemed like good a vocational direction during a time when there was nothing much else to do.

He was a kid of 18, just out of high school and fresh from the farm. It was 1951. The Big War-WWII-was over and Clark, in his then rural surroundings, did not know that for the United States war was brewing again, this time in Korea.

"My buddy and I heard that the Army would sign two up as 'buddies,' so we enlisted in that program and went to basic training together," Clark explained. "But once we got to Washington for overseas processing, I got pneumonia and had to stay in the hospital while he was shipped out. I never saw him again the whole time I served."

Clark was born in 1932 near his family's Buckingham farm house and later moved to Holicong Road where he was educated at a one-room school house. He is a 1950 graduate of New Hope-Solebury High School and a self-described secluded "farm boy."

Of Holicong in the 50s Clark commented, "When we got in trouble, our neighbors knew it before we even got home!" So, when he was lifted off to training and later to South Korea in 1952, it was a completely new world for him, an eye-opener to say the least.

Prior to his Korean stint, Clark spent eight weeks at Aberdeen Proving Grounds for modified infantry training and later at Atlanta General Deposit in technology school but ended up learning metal body repair.

"Being in the South was a whole new thing for me," he said. "In this area, there was no segregation. In Atlanta, I was shocked to see how different life was for black people. I never understood segregation until I went there."

Back in New Hope, Clark left behind his father, mother and brother Jim. "Before then I had never gone anywhere, never traveled on my own. The Army taught me how to live and be on my own, away from my family. I missed them terribly but I quickly learned how to take care of myself."

A war was going on between Communist North Korea and democratic South Korea, who the U.S. was invested in defending.

After graduating from training in Yokashima, Japan and Camp Gifu, Clark Clark was sent off to Seoul, Korea as a part of the 518th Ordinance as a "DS" agent-Direct Support-and he was taken directly to the company's position there. He found that his motor pool background staved off having to hit the combat zone.

His automotive skills were very much needed in keeping tanks and track vehicles repaired and operational at all times.

"Although we were constantly surrounded with the noise of battle, we never thought about being in danger," he explained. He attributes his youthful age for not feeling fearful. "When you are that young, you don't fear as much. You think life will go on forever."

Sometimes Clark was called upon to drive ammunition to the front lines. "You don't volunteer for that job," he commented with a chuckle. "It was a real learning experience!"

He stayed in that position throughout his service career until June, 1953 when an armistice treaty was signed and he was shipped back stateside. After some months at Ft. Hood, he finished his stint and drove back to Bucks County.

His re-entrance to civilian life was in 1954 and three years later he married Marlene, his wife of 52 years, at the United Methodist Church, which is now Marsha Brown's Restaurant on Main Street in New Hope. The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party there. They raised two children: Lisa, 41 and Alan, 51. Both still live in the area.

In 1957 Clark got a job as a truck driver for A.L. Lewis Concrete Company (later Moressey) and the couple bought a house out on Windy Bush Road. Marlene's family owned the general store beside the railroad tracks in New Hope and she went to work near there as the secretary for the school district where she remained throughout her career.

"Once we settled in we didn't ever change much," said Clark of his life raising a family here.

The Clarks were staples at of some outstanding area resources. The couple worked at the Bucks County Playhouse and at Lambertville's Music Circus. Also in Lambertville, Clark furthered his "military style" by becoming captain of the color guard for the Lambertville Drum and Bugle Corps.

He served there for 30 years and three years ago he led the group to a placement award at the New Jersey State American Legion Parade. "It was my swan song," Clark joked, as he retired from participation that year.

He is also a life long member of the Eagle Fire Company in New Hope. To this day the couple is responsible for creating the Christmas and Easter Pageant sets at their church, the New Life Christian Church in Newtown.

In 1957 Clark's uncle suggested that as a post-service transition, it might be good for Clark to join the local American Legion, Post 79 in New Hope. He has been a member ever since and in the mid-1960s served as post Commander for two years.

Although his time in the U.S. Army was relatively brief, Clark found it quite memorable and valuable. "I grew up a lot," he said, "It was a great learning experience and I went to places that I never would have gone or seen." There he turned a talent of "tearing things apart" into solid Army training in mechanics. Clark employed his skills throughout his career as a truck driver for Lewis where, during down season, he worked inside rebuilding and spray painting the Lewis fleet of trucks.

He highly recommends a military background for certain high school graduates. "If they are undecided about what they want to do, the service will provide the structure to research and learn skills. Plus it is great practical experience on how to live with people. It teaches you how to take an order without retaliation."

Clark was honored at a ceremony for Korean war veterans at the Army base in Willow Grove, Pa. He received citations from both state Rep. Bernie O'Neill and state Sen. Chuck McIlhenny.
Clark maintains a positive attitude about his valuable work for the Army.

"It was exciting and you were doing something that needed to be done. Somebody had to do it!"

He challenges today's recruits to take "the plunge" - "There are great benefits," Clark said, "if you can hack that kind of life."