Saratoga Springs, NY – Clarence W. Dart, 91, passed away Friday, February 17, 2012.
Born December 6, 1920, in Elmira, NY, he was the son of the late Clarence and Catherine (Austin) Dart. A 1932 graduate of Elmira Free Academy, he was drafted in 1942, entering the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and attending the Elmira Aviation Ground School. He served as a member of the 332nd Fighter Group and was assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron in the 12th Air Force in North Africa. As a Tuskegee Airman flying P-40s with the 318th Army Air Force Unit Squadron F, he flew 95 missions and was shot down twice. A recipient of two Purple Hearts for injuries sustained during air combat, he later retired as Lieutenant Colonel, having also flown aboard P-51s escorting 15th Air Force bombers. He attended Aero Industries Tech Institute in Calif., General Electric Flight Test School and was affiliated with GE’s Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory from 1950-1987.
He received numerous commendations, awards and medals, including five Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the NYS Conspicuous Service Cross and the NYS Service Star. Mr. Dart was inducted into the Elmira Free Academy Wall of Fame and was the 2011 43rd Senate District’s inductee into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. Honored by the former NYS Comptroller in 2004, in March of 2007, he and fellow airmen were also recognized at the U.S. Capitol with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor that Congress may bestow.
A noted guest speaker on black history at various local schools, colleges and universities, his community service includes the Charlton School for Girls Trustee Board, the Salvation Army Board, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. Community Relations Board, NYS Air Museum AIM High Program and the finance committees of both the Troy Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, of which he was a devoted member.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one son, Clarence W. Dart.
Survivors include his wife, M. Mildred “Millie” (Jackson) Dart; children, Rose Anne Dart, Warren (Susan) Dart, Katherine A. Dart, Gwendolyn M. (David) Steans, Denise Dart, Dawn M. (Keith) Ray, Joyce J. Dart and Cynthia Y. (Kirwin) Providence; grandchildren, Tyrone and Jessica Steans, Kristen Dart, Keith and Jonathan Ray, Devine, D. Gregor and Nathanial Providence; and great-granddaughter, Layla J. Spagnuola-Steans.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 5th Ave., Saratoga Springs. Burial with military honors will be in the family plot at Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Ave., Saratoga Springs.
Memorials, omitting flowers, may be made in his name to the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 83395, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310-215-3985).
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
