Clarey was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on May 4, 1912, son of Mrs. S. B. (Jennie A. O'Hearn) Clarey and the late Mr. Clarey. He was graduated from Oskaloosa High School and attended William Penn College for one year. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from his native state in 1930. As a midshipman he was on the Staff of the Lucky Bag. He was graduated and commissioned Ensign on May 31, 1934.
After commissioning the Amberjack (SS-219) at New London, Connecticut, on June 19, 1942, he completed two war patrols in Amberjack off Bougainville and Guadalcanal Islands as executive officer. During the first war patrol, which lasted fifty-seven days, the Amberjack sank the 19,000-ton Japanese ship Tonan Maru, a 5,000-ton transport and a 7,000-ton cargo ship. She also delivered 9,000 gallons of aviation fuel, 200 100-pound bombs and a number of US Army Air Corps pilots to Tulagi. On her second war patrol, lasting fifty-one days, she scored one direct hit on a 4,000-ton freighter while patrolling south of Shortland, near Treasury Island.
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the performance of his duties in the USS Amberjack during a war patrol of that vessel..." he was awarded the Silver Star. The citation further states: "As Assistant Approach Officer, his outstanding skill, excellent judgement and thorough knowledge of attack problems assisted his Commanding Officer considerably in conducting a series of successful torpedo attacks, which resulted in the sinking and damaging of enemy ships totalling more than 43,000-tons. In addition, he was of great assistance in conducting a successful reconnaissance of four enemy positions and completing a vital special mission, contributing immensely to the success of his vessel in evading extremely severe enemy countermeasures..."
Under his command, Pintado reached the Pacific in May 1944, and on her first war patrol in the area west of the Marianas and south of Formosa on a dark night in June, surfaced and fired six bow torpedoes at a Japanese convoy, making direct hits on two targets with all six torpedoes. Later between the Marianas and Luzon she sank three freighters and damaged a large freighter. Clarey was awarded the Navy Cross with the following citation:
For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the USS Pintado, during the first war patrol of that vessel in enemy Japanese-controlled waters, from May 16 to July 1, 1944. Maneuvering his ship through powerful escort screens, Lieutenant Commander Clarey launched repeated aggressive attacks to sink three Japanese freighters and damage a large freighter despite severe hostile countermeasures...
He was awarded a second Navy Cross, denoted by a Gold Star affixed to the suspension and service ribbon of his original medal, "For extraordinary heroism during Pintado's second war patrol in enemy-infested waters from July 24, 1944 to September 14, 1944". The citation states: "He pressed home a series of aggressive torpedo attacks against heavily escorted enemy ships, sinking two freighters and a large whaling ship of nearly 20,000-tons and maneuvered successfully and avoided damage to his submarine".
He was awarded a third Navy Cross, denoted by a second Gold Star affixed to the suspension and service ribbon of his original medal, for Pintado's third war patrol, in enemy-controlled waters of the South China Sea, between October 9, 1944, and January 1, 1945. The citation states: "Carrying out his duties as Officer in Tactical Command, Commander Clarey skillfully directed the coordinated search for his attack group known as "Clarey's Crushers", against a retiring enemy Task Force and contributed to the destruction of a Japanese light cruiser. He further led his submarines in an attack to sink a destroyer and damage an aircraft carrier. On the night of December 12–13, he conducted three surface attacks, in heavy seas, to sink two enemy merchantmen, which contributed to Pintado's sinking of over 40,000-tons of Japanese shipping".
Detached from Pintado in April 1945, he was assigned to the staff of Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) and was serving in that assignment at the cessation of hostilities in August 1945.
In June 1951, he reported as executive officer of the heavy cruiserHelena (CA-75), which operated with the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Korean waters, participating in operations against North Korean and Chinese Communist Forces. He served as "XO" for eleven months and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for his service aboard Helena.
After a tour as Commander Submarine Division Fifty Two from May 1952 to July 1953 in San Diego, he was ordered to the Politico-Military Policy Division, as Director Far East Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Clarey was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral in July 1958 and in August 1958 was assigned as Director for Military Personnel Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). In July 1962, Rear Admiral Clarey again reported to Pearl Harbor as Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPACFLT). For exceptionally meritorious service in this position, he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
On June 3, 1964, Clarey was promoted to Vice Admiral and became Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT) at Pearl Harbor. In August, 1966, in Oslo, Norway, he became Commander U.S. Second Fleet (COMSECONDFLT) and Commander Striking Force, Atlantic (NATO).
In December 1970, he returned to Pearl Harbor as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT) in what was to be his terminal assignment. Admiral Clarey was relieved of duty on September 30, 1973, and retired from the navy with the rank of admiral on October 1, 1973.
Admiral Clarey married Jean Webster Scott (1918–2009), the daughter of Captain Leon B. Scott (USNA '15), on May 27, 1937, in Groton, Connecticut. They had two sons: Rear Admiral (retired) Stephen S. Clarey (born 1940) of Coronado, California, and Michael O. Clarey (born 1946) of Sydney, Australia. Tennis journalist Christopher Clarey is his grandson.[1][2]
A long-time supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, Admiral Clarey was presented the Silver Beaver Award in 1976. He was awarded the Navy League of the United States Stephen Decatur Award for Operational Competence in 1971. A doctorate of humane letters honorary degree was conferred upon him by William Penn College in 1984.
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