Richard D. Clarke

Summary

Richard D. Clarke Jr. (born 20 April 1962)[2] is a retired United States Army four-star general who last served as the 12th commander of United States Special Operations Command from 29 March 2019 to 30 August 2022. Prior to assuming command of USSOCOM, General Clarke served as Director for Strategic Plans and Policy (J5), Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.

Richard D. Clarke
Official portrait, 2021
Born (1962-07-23) 23 July 1962 (age 61)
Stuttgart, West Germany[1]
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1984–2022
RankGeneral
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards
Signature

Military career edit

 
Clarke and Joseph Dunford (left), at Clarke's promotion to general on 29 March 2019.

Clarke was born in West Germany and raised in an Army family. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and commissioned into the Infantry Branch in 1984. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine College. He is a distinguished graduate of the National War College and earned a master's degree in Security and Strategic Studies.

 
Clarke, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (center), and CENTCOM commander Gen Frank McKenzie visit the WebOPS building at MacDill Air Force Base on 18 June 2019.

Clarke has led soldiers at all levels in Airborne, Ranger, Mechanized and Light Infantry units in five different divisions, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 75th Ranger Regiment in the United States, Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan. Clarke spent eight years in the 75th Ranger Regiment as a company commander from 1994 to 1996, then as a battalion commander from 2004 to 2006 and regimental commander from 2007 to 2009. He also served as battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division from 2002 to 2004. His most recent assignments include serving as the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy (J5), Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. from 2017 to 2019. General Clarke's other assignments as a general officer include: Deputy Commanding General for Operations, 10th Mountain Division from 2011 to 2013; the 74th Commandant of Cadets, United States Military Academy at West Point from 2013 to 2014; and the Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division from 2014 to 2016.

Clarke's deployments while serving in the aforementioned positions include Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Joint Guardian in Macedonia, three deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, four deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one deployment as the commander of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve.[3]

Clarke was appointed the 12th Commander of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) on 29 March 2019.

Clarke retired from the military and relinquished his command of USSOCOM to Bryan P. Fenton on 30 August 2022.[4] Clarke was elected to the board of defense contractor General Dynamics on 3 February 2023.[5]

Online scams impersonating General Clarke edit

Social media accounts pretending to be General Clarke have been used in deceptive scams claiming that he is trapped in Iraq that have resulted in people being defrauded of money. A woman in Minnesota fell for the deception twice and lost a total of $82,000 in December 2021 and in February 2022.[6]

Awards and decorations edit

 
Clarke delivers remarks at the USSOCOM 9/11 remembrance ceremony on 11 September 2021.
  Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)
  Expert Infantryman Badge


   Master Parachutist Badge with United States Special Operations Command background trimming
  Ranger tab
  Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge
  Air Assault Badge
  Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
  Irish Parachutist Badge in gold
  75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
  75th Ranger Regiment Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
  9 Overseas Service Bars
  Defense Distinguished Service Medal
 
 
Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
    Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
 
 
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
      Bronze Star Medal with four oak leaf clusters
     Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
  Air Medal
    Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
    Army Achievement Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
  Army Presidential Unit Citation
  Navy Presidential Unit Citation
  Valorous Unit Award
  Meritorious Unit Commendation
 
 
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
 
 
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
 
 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star
     Iraq Campaign Medal with three service stars
  Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  Armed Forces Service Medal
  Army Service Ribbon
   Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 5
  United Nations Medal
  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

References edit

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy". 6 September 1986 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "General Richard D. Clarke Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Official Biography" (PDF). Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  4. ^ "DVIDS Webcast - U.S. Special Operations Command Change of Command Ceremony". DVIDS. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  5. ^ Dynamics, General. "General Dynamics Elects Richard Clarke to Board of Directors". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  6. ^ Cutts, Emily (23 February 2022). "Southern Minnesota woman falls prey to 'trapped General scam,' twice, loses $82k". Brainerd Dispatch. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
Military offices
Preceded by Commandant of Cadets of the United States Military Academy
2013–2014
Succeeded by
John C. Thomson III
Preceded by Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division
2014–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy of the Joint Staff
2016–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy of the Joint Staff
2017–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States Special Operations Command
2019–2022
Succeeded by