Clark, Una Loy Clark

Dr. Barney Bailey Clark was an extremely courageous person who underwent an unprecedented procedure. That act of determination thrust him into the scientific spotlight, and into the hearts of millions of people around the world. For 112 days, he survived on an artificial heart developed by Dr. Willem Kolff. His own heart had been deteriorating for years due to a disease known as idiopathic cardiomyopathy. And even though the procedure was not a complete success (because he never made it home from the hospital), his bravery and suffering provided the medical community with valuable scientific information.

Barney Bailey Clark was born in Provo, Utah, on 21 January 1921 to Moroni Jensen Clark and Ethel Bailey Clark. He was their only child. His father was a traveling salesman for Calumet Baking Powder; so, he lived with his grandmother until her death in 1926. After that he traveled with his parents for a while, but moved back to Provo with his mother when school started. Barney graduated from high school and joined the National Guard. Then in March of 1941, the National Guard was federalized to become part of the regular United States Army. He helped to run the first aid station with the medics, and about a year later he put in to be a pilot in the Air Corps. But when he was unable to become a pilot, he joined the bombardier training course where he excelled.

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