Clark, A. P. (Albert Patton), 1913-

Albert Patton Clark (b. 1913, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii), U.S. Air Force officer, graduated from West Point in 1936 and completed flying training the following year. In June 1942 he went to England as second in command of the 31st Fighter Group, the first American fighter unit in the European Theater of Operations. He was shot down in France in July 1942 and was a prisoner of war until April 1945. After the War, this highly-decorated officer served with Tactical Air Command, Continental Air Command, and Air Defense Command, as well as performing a tour of duty at Air Force Headquarters. In the mid-1950s, General Clark commanded the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing in France, and then served as chief of staff of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Later he was chief of the U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia, director of military personnel at Air Force Headquarters, and commander of the 313th Air Division on Okinawa. In 1970 he was appointed superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and he retired in August 1974.