Bruce C. Clarke
Encyclopedia
General Bruce Cooper Clarke was a commander of Continental Army Command from 1958–1960 and Commander, U.S. Army Europe from 1960-1962. He also commanded the U.S. Army, Pacific from December 1954 to April 1956.
, on April 29, 1901 and dropped out of high school to enlist in the Army in 1917 and gained appointment to the United States Military Academy
through the New York National Guard. He graduated in 1925 with a commission into the Corps of Engineers
. In addition to his degree from West Point, he earned a civil engineering degree from Cornell University
and an LLB from La Salle Extension University
. In addition, he was an equivalent graduate of the National War College
and is credited with starting the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy system. From 1958-1960 he commanded the Continental Army Command, heading the entire Army school system which, at the time, had over 250,000 participants.
During World War I, Clarke served in the Coast Artillery Corps. In the Second World War, as a brigadier general, he commanded Combat Command A (CCA) of the U.S. 4th Armored Division
in Gen. George S. Patton
's Third Army. Clarke led the relief of St. Vith during the Battle of the Bulge
in 1944 that slowed the German attack. Writing afterward, General Eisenhower credited Clarke's actions as the "turning point" in that battle. During the Korean War
, General Clarke commanded the I Corps and the X Corps. He also trained the First Republic of Korea Army.
Peacetime major commands for General Clarke include Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division
, Fort Hood, Texas, from 1951-1953. After his tour in Hawaii he commanded the Seventh United States Army in Germany. He received a promotion to general in August 1958. From 1960-1962 he served as Commander in Chief of US Army, Europe before retiring on April 30, 1962.
On October 18, 1971 The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States conferred upon Clarke, 33 degree, U.S. Army Ret., the Grand Cross of the Court of Honor.
This is the highest Masonic award, with only 11 holders out of 600,000 members in the Scottish Rite in that Jurisdiction.
, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star
, the Legion of Merit
, the Bronze Star
, and numerous awards from other countries including France, Germany, Great Britain, Korea, and the Philippines.
Biography
Clarke was born on a farm in Adams, New YorkAdams, New York
Adams, New York can refer to:*Adams , New York*Adams , New York...
, on April 29, 1901 and dropped out of high school to enlist in the Army in 1917 and gained appointment to the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
through the New York National Guard. He graduated in 1925 with a commission into the Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
. In addition to his degree from West Point, he earned a civil engineering degree from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
and an LLB from La Salle Extension University
La Salle Extension University
La Salle Extension University , also styled as LaSalle Extension University, was a nationally accredited private university based in Chicago, Illinois. Although the school offered resident educational programs in classes and seminars their primary mode of delivery was by way of distance learning...
. In addition, he was an equivalent graduate of the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
and is credited with starting the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy system. From 1958-1960 he commanded the Continental Army Command, heading the entire Army school system which, at the time, had over 250,000 participants.
During World War I, Clarke served in the Coast Artillery Corps. In the Second World War, as a brigadier general, he commanded Combat Command A (CCA) of the U.S. 4th Armored Division
U.S. 4th Armored Division
The 4th Armored Division of the United States Army was an armored division that compiled a distinguished career in the European theater of World War II. Unlike many other World War II U.S. armored divisions, the 4th never adopted an official divisional nickname or slogan...
in Gen. George S. Patton
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
's Third Army. Clarke led the relief of St. Vith during the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
in 1944 that slowed the German attack. Writing afterward, General Eisenhower credited Clarke's actions as the "turning point" in that battle. During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, General Clarke commanded the I Corps and the X Corps. He also trained the First Republic of Korea Army.
Peacetime major commands for General Clarke include Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division
1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
, Fort Hood, Texas, from 1951-1953. After his tour in Hawaii he commanded the Seventh United States Army in Germany. He received a promotion to general in August 1958. From 1960-1962 he served as Commander in Chief of US Army, Europe before retiring on April 30, 1962.
On October 18, 1971 The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States conferred upon Clarke, 33 degree, U.S. Army Ret., the Grand Cross of the Court of Honor.
This is the highest Masonic award, with only 11 holders out of 600,000 members in the Scottish Rite in that Jurisdiction.
Awards and decorations
Among General Clarke's many decorations are the Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, and numerous awards from other countries including France, Germany, Great Britain, Korea, and the Philippines.
Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...