Laurel was an astronaut aboard the ill-fated space shuttle Columbia. Although not a member of WDHOF, Commander Clark was honored by WDHOF in 2003 due to her sacrifice as well as “being an explorer of outer space and inner space, and serving as a naval diving medical and submarine officer.” She was recognized for her lifetime underwater accomplishments as well as her diving expertise, leadership, courage, and spirit of exploration. Two plaques were presented in her honor to Navy representatives Captain Marie Knafelc (WDHOF 2000) and Captain Tori Cassano (WDHOF 2004). One plaque is housed at the Naval Medical Undersea Institute in Groton, CT, and the other at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida.