Mark Wayne Clark was an American general during World War II and the Korean War and was the youngest lieutenant general in the U.S. Army. During World War I, he commanded a company of soldiers in 1917 and was seriously wounded by shrapnel. After the war, Clark?s abilities were noticed by future U.S. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall. During World War II, he commanded the Allied Fifth Army, and later the Fifteen Army Group, in the Italian campaign. He is known for leading the Fifth Army in its capture of Rome in June 1944. Clark has been heavily criticized for ignoring the orders of his superior officer, General Harold Alexander, and is to blame for the escape of the German 10th Army which he let slip away in his pursuit of being the first to enter Rome - a strategically unimportant city. The German 10th Army joined with their countrymen at the Trasimene Line. In 1945 Clark became the youngest American to be promoted to general. General Dwight D. Eisenhower considered him a brilliant staff officer and trainer. Clark was awarded many medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second highest award. 

May 1st, 1896 in New York City  /  Died:   Apr 17th, 1984