Western Reserve Rd. to Rt. 224 is expected to be renamed the Army Chief Warrant Officer Donald V. Clark Memorial Highway in honor of a Boardman native who died at the age of 37 in a helicopter accident over Mosul, Iraq on Nov. 15, 2008.
      “By renaming this highway, we can memorialize the efforts of a local hero and ensure that his legacy lives on,” State Sen. Joe Schiavoni said.
      CWO Clark, who lives at 8240 Stadler Ave., graduated from Boardman High School in 1989. He then served in the Navy until 1995 when he joined the Army.
      In 2008, Clark deployed to Iraq as part of the 6th Squadron, 17 Calvary Regiment, Task Force 49, U.S. Army Alaska, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. On November 15, Clark and Chief Warrant Officer Christian P. Humphreys were killed when their OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter crashed during a mission over the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
      “Donald Clark was raised in Boardman and traveled many miles up and down Market Street to school, band, and orchestra events before graduating. He was proud to serve his country as a helicopter pilot. To his mother Linda, father Donald, and sister Deana he is a true American hero.,” Boardman Township Administrator Jason Loree said.
      During funeral service held in Dothan, Alabama, CWO-3 Clark was described as a world class soldier and his wife’s hero.
      During the ceremony folded American flags were presented to Clark’s 8-year-old son, Bailey, to his wife, Jamie, and to his parents.
      CW3 Mike Eckhart’s hand trembled when he presented the flag to Mrs. Clark. Eckhart was Clark’s wingman.
      “He was absolutely fearless in support of his brothers in combat,” said Eckhart, who delivered the eulogy and told stories of a gregarious, talented, driven soldier who felt truly free in the sky and in the Alaskan wilderness.
      His fellow soldiers called him ‘Genghis Don.’ Eckhart referred to Clark as a real man and a world class soldier.
      Rev. David Willis read a letter Mrs. Clark wrote for the service in which she said, “Don and I were the sweetest love story ever told. He was my hero. The sorrow I feel is immeasurable. Don loved his family, his friends, his comrades and his country.”
      Willis described Clark as a smart man who could have done anything with his life.
      “But he chose to stand together shoulder to shoulder with brave men and women to fight tyranny,” Willis said.
      Memorial roadway dedication ceremonies are tentatively set for Sept. 12.