Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
General Wesley K. Clark is a former supreme allied commander, Europe (SACEUR) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As SACEUR, Clark was responsible for the peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and commanded Operation Allied Force, NATO's first major combat action, which saved 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.
During 34 years of service in the United States Army, Clark rose to the rank of four-star general. Before serving as SACEUR, Clark was the commander in chief, U.S. Southern Command, where he was responsible for all U.S. military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean. From 1994 to 1996, Clark was the director of strategic plans and policy in the Joint Staff, where he helped negotiate the end to the war in Bosnia.
After his retirement in 2000, Clark became an investment banker, author, commentator, and businessman. In 2003, he was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. Winning the state of Oklahoma, he was launched into national prominence before returning to the private sector in 2004.
Clark currently serves as a United Nations Task Force member for the United States Institute of Peace and an advisory board member of the U.S. Government Accountability Office. He is a distinguished senior advisor for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a trustee at the Center for American Progress and a board member of the International Crisis Group. In addition, he holds leadership roles with a number of nonprofit organizations, including VoteVets, Democrats Work, Project H.E.R.O. and City Year Little Rock
Clark is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the State Department Distinguished Service Award, the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal (five times), the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal (two times), the Silver Star, the Bronze Star (two times), the Purple Heart, and Honorary Knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments.
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