SAN FRANCISCO — A black Navy veteran credited with saving the lives of some of his shipmates during a World War II battle will be getting a long-awaited medal for his heroism, a Northern California congresswoman said.

Carl Clark, 95, will be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with the Combat Distinguished Device on Jan. 17, U. S. Rep. Anna Eshoo announced Thursday.

Clark was serving as an E-6 Steward First Class aboard the USS Aaron Ward when Japanese kamikazes attacked the destroyer near Okinawa in May 1945.

Pictured: This 2009 photo provided by the office of U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, shows Menlo Park resident Carl Clark, left, given a proclamation and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto.