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Wesley Clark

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Wesley Clark
NameWesley Clark
CaptionOfficial portrait, 2000
Birth date23 December 1944
Birth placeChicago, Illinois, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
Serviceyears1966–2000
RankGeneral
CommandsUnited States Southern Command, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, United States European Command
BattlesVietnam War, Kosovo War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart
LaterworkAuthor, political commentator, businessman

Wesley Clark is a retired United States Army general who served as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1997 to 2000. He commanded Allied Force, the NATO bombing campaign during the Kosovo War, and later pursued a career in politics and business. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Rhodes Scholar, he is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and a frequent commentator on international affairs.

Early life and education

Born in Chicago, Illinois, he spent much of his youth in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a top student at Hall High School and received an appointment to the United States Military Academy. Graduating first in his class from West Point in 1966, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Magdalen College, University of Oxford, where he earned a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Military career

Commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, he served in the Vietnam War as a commander with the 1st Infantry Division, where he was wounded and awarded the Silver Star. His post-Vietnam career included key staff and command positions, including service in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and as the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He commanded the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood and later served as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Southern Command. In 1997, he was appointed Supreme Allied Commander Europe, leading NATO forces during the Kosovo War and overseeing Operation Allied Force. His tenure was marked by strategic disagreements with the Pentagon and the Clinton administration, leading to his early retirement in 2000.

Post-military career

Following his military service, he became an investment banker at Lehman Brothers Holdings and later a consultant and chairman at Wesley K. Clark & Associates. He has served on the boards of several companies, including Acxiom and BDT & Company. As an author, he has written books on foreign policy and national security, such as Waging Modern War and A Time to Lead. He is a frequent military analyst for CNN and has taught at several institutions, including the University of Chicago and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Political activities

He sought the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States in 2004, running on a platform critical of the Iraq War and emphasizing national security experience. After ending his campaign, he endorsed and campaigned for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. He remained active in the Democratic Party, co-chairing Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in Arkansas in 2008 and serving as a national co-chair for Ready for Hillary in 2013. He has been a vocal advocate for veterans' issues and has testified before the United States Congress on matters of national security.

Personal life

He is married to Gertrude "Gert" Clark, and they have one son. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and has been involved with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. His interests include history and running.

Awards and honors

His military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. He has received numerous international awards, including the Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and the French Legion of Honour. He holds honorary degrees from institutions like the University of Arkansas and the University of Oxford.

Category:American army generals Category:United States Military Academy alumni Category:Rhodes Scholars