Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III was the Director, Air National Guard, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He was responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, plans and programs affecting more than 105,700 Guard members and civilians in more than 89 flying wings and 175 geographically separated units across 213 locations throughout the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

General Clarke was commissioned in 1981 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at the University of Georgia and graduated from undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, in 1983.  He was a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the A-10, C-26 and the F-16.  Before assuming the Director position with the Air National Guard, General Clarke served as the Commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region – 1^st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. His command comprised of four direct reporting units, 10 aligned Air National Guard units, and a large number of active air defense alert sites – including aircraft, air defense artillery, and up to 15,000 active duty, National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian personnel.

He has served in various operational and staff assignments including Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché in Turkey.  He has commanded a squadron, fighter wing and air expeditionary wing.  He previously served as the Deputy Director of the Air National Guard and as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Alabama Air National Guard. 

Major Awards and Decorations

Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and silver oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Training Ribbon
Alabama Faithful Service Ribbon