Clark Clifford

Clifford was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, on 25 December 1906, took both bachelor and law degrees at Washington University, and practiced law in St. Louis between 1928 and 1943. He served as an officer with the Navy from 1944 to 1946, including assignment as assistant naval aide and naval aide to the president. After separation from the Navy, he held the position of special counsel to the president from 1946 to 1950. After leaving the government in 1950 Clifford practiced law in Washington, but continued to advise the White House occasionally. Widely known and respected in Washington and knowledgeable on defense matters when he became secretary of defense on 1 March 1968.