Commander Stoddard was born in Atlanta, Georgia, 20 January 1927, the son of William and Helen Stoddard (both deceased), who resided in Northeast Atlanta, more commonly known today as the Virginia Highlands area. Bill was an active member of his high school, participating in baseball, basketball and gold whole also captaining the Marist School band. He graduated from Marist School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. After one year of service he accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy where he graduated and was commissioned an Ensign, USN, 3 June, 1949. He married his high school sweetheart, the former Janey Miller, in November 1949. Janey was Miss Georgia and runner-up to Miss America in 1949.

On 14 September, 1966, while Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron 25 (VA25), embarked in the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), CDR Stoddard was leading a two-plane bombing mission over North Vietnam searching for enemy truck convoys. Near the village of Nghi Thiet, his radar detection system warned him of enemy missile activity. Taking evasive action, he withdrew over the Gulf of Tonkin before his aircraft, a single engine propeller A-1 Skyraider, was struck by enemy surface-to-air missiles. CDR Stoddard was initially listed as Missing in Action. His status was changed in 1973 to Killed in Action.

CDR Stoddard joined the US Navy in 1944 during World War II. During his 22 years of service, he served two combat tours in the Korean Conflict and two in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Purple Hearts, eight Air Medals, and two Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V in addition to numerous service medals and foreign decorations.

Commander Stoddard’s patriotism, selflessness, strength of character and heroism reflect the finest traditions of the United States of America, the United States Navy and his home State of Georgia.

Commander Clarence William Stoddard Jr. is memorialized at Colony Square Mall via 1197 Peachtree St. N.E.