Albert P. Clark

Infobox Military Person
name=Albert P. Clark
born= birth year and age|1913
died=
placeofbirth= Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
placeofdeath=


caption=Lieutenant General Albert P. Clark
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Air Force
serviceyears=1936-1974
rank= Lieutenant General
commands=Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy
unit=
battles=World War II
awards=Legion of Merit Purple Heart
relations=
laterwork=
Lieutenant General Albert Patton Clark was the sixth superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Clark was born at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in 1913. He is a 1936 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and completed flying training at Randolph Field, Texas, in 1937.

He then served at Selfridge Field, Michigan and in June 1942, went to England as second in command of the 31st Fighter Group, the first American fighter unit in the European Theater of Operations. He was shot down over Abbeville, France, in July 1942 and was a prisoner of war at German prison camp Stalag Luft III until April 1945.

After World War II, he progressed through key staff assignments with Tactical Air Command, Continental Air Command and Air Defense Command prior to a tour of duty at Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

Clark commanded the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing at Chaumont Air Base in France, in 1955-1956, and then served as chief of staff of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

His next assignment was as Chief, U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia.

He was director of military personnel at Headquarters U.S. Air Force for four years beginning in 1959 and was then assigned to Okinawa as commander of the 313th Air Division.

In August 1965, he was named vice commander of the Tactical Air Command. He assumed duties as commander of Air University in August 1968, and in August 1970, he was appointed superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

A command pilot, he is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College.

Awards and decorations

His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart. He retired from the Air Force on August 1, 1974.

References