Clark McAdams Clifford was a prominent American lawyer, military officer, and government official who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense under President Lyndon B. Johnson (1968-1969) and was a key advisor to multiple Democratic presidents including Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Jimmy Carter. Born on December 25, 1906, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, he graduated with a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1928. After serving as a naval officer during World War II, he joined Truman's administration in 1945, serving as Naval Aide and Special Counsel (1946-1950) where he helped shape the Truman Doctrine and National Security Act of 1947. He later chaired the President's Intelligence Advisory Board (1963-1968) under Johnson. As Defense Secretary, he played a crucial role in de-escalating the Vietnam War, advocating for negotiations and troop withdrawals. Known for his charm, strategic acumen, and impeccable style, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969. Later in life, his legacy was tarnished by involvement in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) banking scandal, where he served on the bank's board and faced federal investigations in 1991 for allegedly facilitating money-laundering operations. He died on October 10, 1998, at age 91.