Clarence Tinker was born on November 21, 1887, near Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in the Osage Nation, the eldest son of George Edward Tinker and Sarah A. (Schwagerte) Tinker. He grew up learning the language and culture from his parents and extended family. While growing up, Clarence worked in the print shop of his father's newspaper, the Wah-Sha-She News. It was founded by his father and was one of Pawhuska's first weekly newspapers. Beginning in 1900, Tinker attended the Haskell Institute, the famous Indian school in Lawrence, Kansas, but withdrew before graduating.

He went on to become a career United States Army officer, eventually reaching the rank of Major General, the highest-ranking Native American officer, and the first to reach that rank.

In June 1942, the Japanese began their assault of Midway Island. In the midst of the Battle of Midway, on June 7, Tinker decided to lead a force of LB-30s of the 31st Bombardment Squadron against the retreating Japanese naval forces. Near Midway Island, his plane was seen to go out of control and plunge into the sea.