Birth date: Jan 3, 1940 Death date: Apr 12, 2016
Albert Clark Welch, Lt. Col. U. S. Army (Ret.) age 76 passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2016 in Leesburg, Florida. Clark was born in Dover, New Hampshire and moved to the Leesburg area in 2006. He was an Airborne Ranger who served in Read Obituary
I put this together to Honor the Colonel.
I was a Track Driver for the Battalion S-2 LT Leach 1/8 Inf ( M-577 Rat Rig) from April 85 till April 86. We did a Rotation to N.T.C the Summer of 1985. Because we had the earliest computers and Radio Teletype, We were the only Vehicle in The Battalion that had air conditioning and an AC Converter. Because of the sensitive nature of the equipment, the S-2 Track was off limits to everyone other than the Colonel and those assigned to our section all 5 of us. He stopped by the track on several occasions to grab a freshly made cup of real coffee and to watch a little news on the B/W 12" TV we had. He was absolutely the most Un Officer like Field Grade I ever had the pleasure of meeting. He put me at ease the very 1st time he came over. What great stories he shared. I also understood that the cordiality he showed ended when he walked out of the Track. Also Understood if I ever mentioned him coming there to cool off and get coffee would result in unpleasant duties. I had the Utmost respect for him then. But it pales in comparison to the respect I have for him now. I am doing a Project for a Virtual Reality Environment to provide assistance to veterans and part of that project is me making a " Hall of Heroes" with displays of famous and also not so famous Combat Veterans. When I researched his accomplishments, my jaw dropped. Hope You have found Peace Sir. I have no doubt that EAGLE 6 was well received.
I was LTC Welch's Communications Officer in the 1-8 Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Carson, CO for all but a few weeks of his Command. He was a tough Commander; demanding and accepting nothing but the best from those under his charge. He also cared very deeply for his officers and his soldiers as he demonstrated at every Friday afternoon Battalion formation. Being a Staff Officer for LTC Welch was challenging; other times discouraging and even sometimes just downright "not fun". However, I am proud to be the longest-serving staff officer in his command, I would not trade that experience for anything and I feel privileged to have served with him and to have learned from him. Out of everyone I have encountered in my life, he has probably had the greatest positive impact on me in terms of the lessons I learned from him and the toughness he imparted to me and for that I am grateful. If I could say two last things to him, they would be "Thank you!" and "Current CEOI in effect!". And I know exactly how he would respond. :)
Dee Leach
I was a second lieutenant in the 1/8 infantry at Fort Carson. Then LTC Clark was the Battalion Commander. I remember him teaching us lieutenants how to lay in machine guns in an open field, and how to get the enemy to stop in the kill zone. The man was a soldier’s soldier, a real killer.
Bill Watts
I am a high school teacher and in one of my history courses I show the documentary TWO DAYS IN OCTOBER. He is the voice in the documentary the students remember the most. I am grateful for his candid and sincere storytelling in both the documentary and in the book THEY MARCHED INTO SUNLIGHT. May he rest in peace.
Joe Rosh
Clark (Al) was the best company commander I knew in Vietnam. He loved soldiers and was a "where the rubber meets the road" leader. He was sound in judgement and could be counted on to always give 100 percent when it came to fighting the enemy. During the 17 October 67 battle, he fought until he lost consciousness. Rest in peace brother. Jackie and I will be at the ceremony in Arlington on 9 Jan 17.
Black Lions
Jim George Alpha 6
I am so sorry! I just found out that my friend from childhood is gone. Clark and I were little kids together living in a converted barn in Durham NH. We were a great bunch, Deborah, Octavia, Clark, Eddie, and me (Jay was the baby, as was Anne), and we older ones would leave home in the morning and venture out to the woods or fields and return at dusk, having discovered many things and even taken our naps under the Lone Pine tree. It was a carefree time, and we were all best friends. I am so glad I had a chance to reconnect with Clark a few years back and rehash old memeories. Well done, good and faithful servant. .
Dear Clark, I mean Al,
At Ft. Belvoir, U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, 1958-59, you were Al to me. You were also a good friend and an inspiration, to me and to all your classmates. Though our paths never again crossed over the years, I can see your smile and hear you telling me to get my Air Force puke straight leg butt in gear and quit bellyaching. Wish I could remember what we worked on together, but it doesn't matter. I'll never forget you and God willing I'll be at Arlington January 9th to honor your memory and bid you farewell my friend.
Einar Joe Bohlin; Wake Forest, NC
It breaks my heart you are gone. Thank you for all you did and went through.
A great soldier\leader you were Clark Welch and may you walk among the brethren forever.
DOL\RLTW and Black Lions Sir!!
Mark Smith
