Albert Patton "Bub" Clark was born in 1913 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1936 and then went to flight training at Randolph Field, Texas in 1937. After completing flight training he was stationed at Selfridge Field, Michigan. As a Lieutenant Colonel, Clark was stationed in England during June 1942 and became second in command of the 31st Fighter Group which was the only American fighter group stationed in Europe. On a mission in July of that year over Abbeville, France, Colonel Clark was shot down, sent to Stalag Luft II, and later Stalag VIIA, where he remained until the camp was liberated in April 1945. While in Stalag Luft III, Clark was in charge of security for the North Compound which included the gathering and hiding of supplies used in the escape of seventy-six Prisoners of War (POWs). The escape of these POWs was later depicted in the book and movie The Great Escape. Years later General Clark wrote about his war experience at Stalag Luft III in a book titled "33 Months as a POW in Stalag Luft III."
With the creation of the United States Air Force, Clark escalated through the ranks and was assigned to several key positions with the Tactical Air Command, Continental Air Command, Air Defense Command, and Headquarters U.S. Air Force. From 1955-1956, General Clark took command of the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing stationed at Chaumont Air Force Base in France. He later served as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Air Force stationed in Europe and then was assigned as Chief of U.S. Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia. In 1959, General Clark became the Director of Military Personnel at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force. After four years, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan as the Commander of the 313th Air Division. General Clark was named Vice Commander of the Tactical Air Command in 1965 and in 1968 he took command of Air University until 1970. After commanding Air University, Clark was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy located in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he remained until his retirement in 1974.
After retirement, General Clark continued to be active in the Colorado Springs community working with, among others, the Stalag Luft III Former POWs group, the Falcon Foundation, and the Friends of the Air Force Academy Library, until his death in March, 2010, at the age of 96. His decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
From the description of Albert P. Clark collection, 1903-2008. (US Air Force Academy). WorldCat record id: 688639594
