Bruce Cooper Clarke
General, U.S. Army

Bruce Cooper Clarke was born on a farm in Adams, NY, on 29 April 1901. He dropped out of high school to enlist in the Army in 1917. During World War I, Clarke served in the Coast Artillery Corps.

In 1921, Clarke obtained an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy through the New York National Guard. He graduated in 1925 with a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. In addition to his degree from West Point, he earned a Civil Engineering degree from Cornell University and an LLB from La Salle Extension University. In addition, he was an equivalent graduate of the National War College and is credited with starting the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy system. From 1958-1960 he commanded the Continental Army Command, heading the entire Army school system which, at the time, had over 250,000 participants.

As a Brigadier General in World War II, he led the relief of St. Vith that slowed the German attack during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. Writing afterward, General Eisenhower credited Clarke's actions as the "turning point" in that battle. During the Korean War, General Clarke commanded the I Corps and the X Corps. He also trained the First Republic of Korea Army.

Major peacetime commands for General Clarke included the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas, from 1951-1953. After a tour in Hawaii he commanded the Seventh United States Army in Germany. He received a promotion to General in August 1958. From 1960-62 he served as Commander-in-Chief, US Army, Europe (USAREUR) before retiring on 30 April 1962.

Honors

On 18 October 1971, The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States conferred upon Clarke, 33 degree, U.S. Army Ret., the Grand Cross of the Court of Honor. This is the highest Masonic award, with only 11 holders out of 600,000 members in the Scottish Rite in that Jurisdiction.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Silver Star Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with Combat Valor Device and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
World War I Victory Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

He also has numerous awards from other countries including France, Germany, Great Britain, Korea, and the Philippines.

Death and Burial

General Bruce Cooper Clarke died on 17 March 1988. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 7-A, Grave 130. His wife, Bessie Mitchell Clarke, is buried with him.