Clark M. Clifford
| Clark Clifford | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 9th United States Secretary of Defense | |
|
In office February 29, 1968 – January 20, 1969 |
|
| President | Lyndon Johnson |
| Deputy | Paul Nitze |
| Preceded by | Robert McNamara |
| Succeeded by | Melvin Laird |
| Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board | |
|
In office April 23, 1963 – February 29, 1968 |
|
| President |
John F. Kennedy Lyndon Johnson |
| Preceded by | James Killian |
| Succeeded by | Max Taylor |
| White House Counsel | |
|
In office February 1, 1946 – January 31, 1950 |
|
| President | Harry Truman |
| Preceded by | Samuel Rosenman |
| Succeeded by | Charles Murphy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Clark McAdams Clifford December 25, 1906 Fort Scott, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died |
October 10, 1998 (aged 91) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Marny Kimball (1931–1998) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Washington University (BA, LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
| Rank |
 Captain
|
Clark McAdams Clifford (December 25, 1906 – October 10, 1998) was an American lawyer who served as an important political advisor to Democratic Presidents Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter. His official government positions were White House Counsel (1946–1950), Chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board (1963–1968), and Secretary of Defense (1968–1969); Clifford was also influential in his role as an unofficial, informal presidential advisor in various issues. A successful Washington lawyer, he was known for his elite clientele, charming manners and impeccable suits.
In his later years, Clifford became involved in several controversies. He was a key figure in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International scandal, which led to a grand jury indictment.
Clifford was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Frank Clifford and Georgia Clifford (née McAdams). He attended college and law school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and built a solid reputation practicing law in St. Louis between 1928 and 1943.
He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, reaching the rank of captain and serving as assistant naval aide and then naval aide to President Truman, for whom he became a trusted personal adviser and friend.
Clifford went to Washington, D.C., first to serve as assistant to the President's Naval Adviser, after the naming of a personal friend from Missouri as the President's Naval Adviser. Following his discharge from the Navy, he remained at Truman's side as White House Counsel from 1946 to 1950, as Truman came rapidly to trust and rely upon Clifford.
...
Wikipedia