LITHUANIA: First Class Order of Grand Duke Gediminas

General Clark was awarded Lithuania’s highest level of the Order of Grand Duke Gediminas in February of 2001.

This award honors citizens of Lithuania and foreign nationals for outstanding performance in civil and public office.

February 16--the Day of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania (1990)--is also a holiday in honor of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke. Other recipients of the Order include Juan Antonio Samaranch (a President of the International Olympic Committee), George Soros, and musician Mstislav Rostripovich.

Grand Duke Gediminas came to power in 1316, ushering in a new dynasty of leaders. He established Vilnius as the capital of the Lithuania as early as 1323 and expanded the empire as far as Kiev. During his rule, a viable, stable state was established with peoples of varied ethnicity and religions. His rule ended in 1341.