Vern Clark
Vernon E. " Vern " Clark ( born September 7, 1944 in Sioux City, Iowa) was the 27th Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy.
Life
Clark grew up in the northwestern United States, graduated from Evangel College and received from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Then he attended the Officer Candidate School and received his commission in 1968.
He served on the destroyers USS John W. Weeks ( DD -701 ) and USS Gearing ( DD- 710). In the rank of lieutenant, he commanded then the USS Grand Rapids (PG -98). Furthermore, he commanded the USS McCloy (FF -1038 ), USS Spruance (DD -963 ), anti- submarine warfare center, the destroyer group and seven destroyers Group Five. After selection for the post of Flaggoffiziers the admiral commanded the carrier group of the USS Carl Vinson ( CVN 70), Destroyer Group Two, the second U.S. Navy and the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
Clark was appointed on 21 July 2000 the 27th Chief of Naval Operations (CNO ) of the U.S. Navy and had this post until July 22, 2005. He was therefore the longest in office since located CNO Admiral Arleigh Burke. He was succeeded by Admiral Michael G. Mullen. Clark formulated, among other things, a new operational doctrine called Sea Power 21
Awards
Selection of decorations, sorted on the basis of the Order of Precedence of Military Awards:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3 × )
- Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2 × )
- Legion of Merit (3 × )
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (4 × )
- Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Navy Unit Commendation
- National Defense Service Medal (2 × )
- Vietnam Service Medal (3 × )
- Southwest Asia Service Medal