Vern Clark

Vernon E. Clark
Clark in 2000
Born	(1944-09-07) September 7, 1944 (age 79) Sioux City, Iowa, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1968–2005
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	Chief of Naval Operations United States Atlantic Fleet United States Second Fleet Cruiser-Destroyer Group 3 Destroyer Squadron 17 Destroyer Squadron 5 USS Spruance (DD-963) USS Grand Rapids (PG-98)
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Gulf War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (3)
Other work	Raytheon, Board of Directors SRI International, Board of Directors

Vernon Eugene Clark^[1] (born September 7, 1944) is a retired admiral who served as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the United States Navy. He retired on July 22, 2005, making his tenure of five years the second-longest serving CNO behind Arleigh Burke. He currently sits on the board of directors of Raytheon and SRI International. In November 2009, he was selected along with former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo West by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to lead the military investigation into the Fort Hood massacre.