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  • Col Roderick W. Clarke USAF (Ret.)
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    Col. Clarke was commissioned a 2nd Lt USAR and rated as an Aerial Navigator in January 1944. After receiving additional training as a Radar Navigator-Bombardier at Langley, Field, VA he navigated a B-24H to Italy via the southern route where he flew 35 combat missions with the 15th AF and was awarded the DFC and the Air Medal with 3 OLC. Returning to CONUS he participated in the training of RNBs at Boca Raton AAF, FL. In October 1945 he joined the USAAF Inactive Reserve and entered Purdue University where he was graduated with distinction in 1949 with a BSME degree.
    In 1950 he was recalled to active duty and flew 55 combat missions over North Korea as a navigator-bombardier in B-26B / C aircraft. For this service he was awarded an OLC to the DFC and 3 OLC to the AM. On return to the ZI he received a commission in the Regular AF and filled several assignments with the Air Training Command until he entered USAF Institute of Technology from which he received an MBA degree in Engineering Administration in 1958. After serving in several assignments at Wright AFB, OH he entered Stanford University as a candidate for PhD in Operations Research in 1960, a goal he achieved in 1968. However, after two years there he was assigned to the Office of Research Analysis at Holloman AFB, NM where he served until 1967 when he was assigned to the Naval War College at Newport, RI from which he was graduated with distinction in 1968.
    Following this he was assigned to Task force Alpha at Nakon Phenom, Thailand where he served as Deputy Director of Technical Operations for the Igloo White system. His final AF assignment was to the Air Staff (Studies and Analysis) where he served as Deputy Director for general Purpose Force Studies. Upon his retirement in May 1973, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. He continued his scientific activities as a consultant to several civilian defense contractors and as an officer of the Military Operations Research Society for several years.

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