NC Robert R. Clark, Major, US Army, age 33, Missing since 17 March 1944 from Raleigh, North Carolina

[Richard]

Major Clark's disappearance inside of 3 months prior to the D-Day landings at Normandy could indicate a kidnapping by German espionage agents in an attempt to learn of American or allied war plans. The Germans expected a large scale invasion, but they didn't know where or when.

 

[Brightchaser47]

Major Clark's disappearance inside of 3 months prior to the D-Day landings at Normandy could indicate a kidnapping by German espionage agents in an attempt to learn of American or allied war plans. The Germans expected a large scale invasion, but they didn't know where or when.

Is it possible that someone in U.S. Intelligence already knows what became of Major Clark but it was kept classified?

 

[Brightchaser47]

Double post

 

[Richard]

Bumping this thread up. Major Clark has been missing for over 81 years.

 

[Quoththeraven]

Is it possible that someone in U.S. Intelligence already knows what became of Major Clark but it was kept classified?

It's possible they already know and won't disclose it for obvious reasons. His girlfriend was in Kansas, yet a woman's week-end bag/valise was discovered nearby. This would indicate that another woman was with him when he disappeared.

Is it possible that he was honey-potted? He was an Intelligence Officer of the Southeastern Defense Command. During WWII, German intelligence were running spy networks in the US. Maybe he was lured to a place where he was overpowered and then taken against his will. His vehicle was then ditched in the woods and covered up.

I don't know if that valise was still kept as evidence, but I'd bet they would find DNA on it today if it was. Having been an Army MP stationed at Ft. Bragg back in the day, I would have to say all that evidence was discarded a long time ago, but, in unsolved cases, evidence in unsolved homicides or serious felonies is kept indefinitely, as there is no statute of limitations on murder. So, who knows?
His destination was Ft. Bragg, yet his 16 day trip to visit all the bases in the SDC (which included Ft. Bragg) wasn't scheduled until after he returned. So why would he be going to Ft. Bragg beforehand? That was never disclosed.

He was 33 and unmarried with no pressing love interests. He had a girlfriend in Kansas.
Last seen in a Raleigh restaurant the morning of March 17, 1944.
Headed to Fort Bragg and then was to return to Raleigh to prepare for a 16-day tour of duty to Army camps in the Southeastern area.
A woman's week-end bag was discovered nearby as was an empty wallet.

His vehicle was carefully and expertly camouflaged and obvious whoever camouflaged the car had military training in the art.

A covert agent (often called a "honey trap") establishes a romantic or sexual relationship to compromise a target and extract valuable intelligence.

A public press photo (on Ebay) of Major Robert R. Clark. Circa 1944. What's he holding?

1954 Press Photo Major Robert R Clark officer who disappeared 10 yr ago | eBay

It may contain wrinkles, cracks, and possibly even tears due to its age and how it was handled before it got to us. A scanner may interpret colors and contrast differently than human eyes will, so it is possible that the actual photograph may be slightly darker or lighter in person.

www.ebay.com

 

[Richard]

In the photo he appears to be sitting on a folding chair or stool on the deck of a boat. He appears to be holding a line or rope of some sort.

 

[Quoththeraven]

In the photo he appears to be sitting on a folding chair or stool on the deck of a boat. He appears to be holding a line or rope of some sort.

A helmsman uses ropes, chains, or cables connected to a winch or windlass, which in turn connects to the rudder, to steer the boat's rudder by winding and unwinding the ropes. Some boat rudders use ropes for steering, particularly on smaller sailboats and kayaks.

 

[Richard]

A helmsman uses ropes, chains, or cables connected to a winch or windlass, which in turn connects to the rudder, to steer the boat's rudder by winding and unwinding the ropes. Some boat rudders use ropes for steering, particularly on smaller sailboats and kayaks.

It is hard to tell from the limited camera view, but it appears that he is seated in the stern, or aft most part of a sailboat. SInce no rudder shaft can be seen, there is probably a steering wheel forward of his position.

The cable or line in his left hand is probably just a safety guy line.., although there doesn't appear to be one on the orher side.

The line in his right hand might be a "sheet" used to manage the forward jib sail.