Clark L. Ruffner

Clark L. Ruffner
General Clark Louis Ruffner
Born	January 12, 1903 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Died	July 26, 1982(1982-07-26) (aged 79) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1924-1962
Rank	General
Commands	Third Army U.S. Army, Pacific 2nd Armored Division 2nd Infantry Division
Battles / wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Air Medal

General Clark Louis Ruffner (September 12, 1903 – July 26, 1982) was a senior officer in the United States Army who served in World War II as well as the Korean War.

Biography

Ruffner was born January 12, 1903, in Buffalo, New York, and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1924. Most of his early career was spent in various cavalry units until his appointment as Assistant Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Norwich University in Vermont from 1937 to 1940.

During World War II, Ruffner first served as Assistant Chief of Staff and then Deputy Chief of Staff for VII Corps from 1942-43. He then went on to become Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for the Hawaiian Department in 1943. From there, Ruffner became Deputy Chief of Staff, Central Pacific Area, from 1943–44, and Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army, Pacific from 1944 until after the end of the war.

At the outbreak of the Korean War, Ruffner was Chief of Staff, X Corps, but soon took command of the 2nd Infantry Division in 1951 from where he was a key commander in the conflict. Ruffner's unit occupied the center of the UN line during the Battle of the Soyang River during the Chinese spring offensive. After his command, Ruffner spent the remainder of the war in Washington working on International Security Affairs in the office of the Defense Secretary.

In 1954, Ruffner moved back into the Pacific theater where he successively served as Deputy Commanding General and Commanding General for the U.S. Army, Pacific. From there he became Commanding General, 2nd Armored Division, from 1954–56, and after a tour in Germany, Commanding General of the Third United States Army from 1958-60. During this period, he received promotions to lieutenant general and general. General Ruffner concluded his career as U.S. Representative to NATO, and retired in 1962. He died on July 26, 1982.

Awards and decorations

General Ruffner's military decorations and service medals include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with four bronze service stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.

• Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters
•   Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster
•   Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster
•   Bronze Star
•   World War II Victory Medal
•   Korean Service Medal
•   United Nations Service Medal for Korea

References

• General Ruffner's personal chopper in Korea which was named RRUF-F-F.

This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: [2]