Lieutenant General Stanley E. Clarke III, Air Force, Retired

Chairman, Board of Directors

Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III was the Director, Air National Guard, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He was responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, plans and programs affecting more than 105,700 Guard members and civilians in more than 89 flying wings and 175 geographically separated units across 213 locations throughout the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

General Clarke was commissioned in 1981 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at the University of Georgia and graduated from undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, in 1983. He was a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the A-10, C-26 and the F-16. Before assuming the Director position with the Air National Guard, General Clarke served as the Commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region – 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. His command comprised of four direct reporting units, 10 aligned Air National Guard units, and a large number of active air defense alert sites – including aircraft, air defense artillery, and up to 15,000 active duty, National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian personnel.

He has served in various operational and staff assignments including Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché in Turkey. He has commanded a squadron, fighter wing and air expeditionary wing. He previously served as the Deputy Director of the Air National Guard and as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Alabama Air National Guard.

Major Awards and Decorations

Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster

Bronze Star Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal

Aerial Achievement Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air Force Achievement Medal

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and silver oak leaf cluster

Combat Readiness Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters

National Defense Service Medal with bronze star

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border

Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with oak leaf cluster

Air Force Training Ribbon

Alabama Faithful Service Ribbon