# Richard D. Clarke

Richard D. Clarke Jr. (born 20 April 1962) 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. As the USSOCOM commander, Clarke oversaw the nation's elite special operations forces and played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. military strategy in various global theaters. Prior to assuming command of USSOCOM, Clarke served as Director for Strategic Plans and Policy (J5), Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
Clarke's service also includes numerous deployments, including in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Joint Guardian, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. He was recognized for his leadership in the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 10th Mountain Division.

## Military career

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 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.
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. Clarke was elected to the board of defense contractor General Dynamics on 3 February 2023.

## Online scams impersonating General Clarke

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. A more recent scam claims that the General Clarke graduated from the "United State(sic) Airforce(sic) Academy" and is currently based at a United State(sic) war camp in Damascus, Syria.

## Awards and decorations

* 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)