Presidential Medal of Freedom

Presented by: President Bill Clinton
August 9, 2000

President Bill Clinton awarded General Clark the Presidential Medal of Freedom in August of 2000.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is, along with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest civilian award.

The award is designed to recognize individuals who have made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

White House Fellow
1975

The White House Fellowship program is our country’s most prestigious leadership and public service program, instituted by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Each year thousands of applicants compete for the dozen or so available awards available.

Wes Clark was awarded a White House Fellowship in 1975, one of 14 selected from over 2,000 applicants.

The official web page described the program as follows:

Legacy of Leadership Award

Presented by: Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright on behalf of the White House Fellows Association
October, 1999

In October of 1999, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright bestowed the first White House Fellows Association Legacy of Leadership Award to General Clark for his many years of remarkable achievements in public service.

The award recognizes White House Fellows Alumni for a lifetime of accomplishments and commitment to service in their public and personal lives.

Secretary Albright’s remarks accompanying the award including the following:

Lady Liberty Award for National Security and World Peace

Presented by: Goals for Americans Foundation
October 4, 2000

Wesley Clark received the Lady Liberty Award for National Security and World Peace in Washington D.C. on October 4, 2000. The award was established by the Goals for Americans Foundation President and Founder, Paul Flum. This Award recognizes the vision, fortitude and leadership of Americans who are addressing the challenges of the 21st century and moving society in positive directions.

The text accompanying Clark’s award reads:

Balkans Peace Award

Presented by: Albanian American Civic League
June, 2001

In June of 2001, on the occasion of the publication of his book, Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosova, and the Future of Combat, the Albanian American Civic League hosted a reception and book-signing for General Clark.

During that ceremony, the Civic League bestowed General Clark with its first Balkan Peace Award. The award is a marble eagle from Kruje, Albania, mounted on a cherry wood base.

Secretary of State's Open Forum Distinguished Public Service Award

Presented by: Alan Lang, Chairperson, Open Forum
May 30, 2001

On May 30, 2001, Chairperson Alan Lang presented General Wesley Clark with the Secretary of State's Distinguished Public Service Award.

The Secretary's Open Forum was established by Secretary of State Dean Rusk in 1967 during U.S. involvement in the Vietnam conflict. The Open Forum strengthens the American foreign policy process by encouraging creative thinking on vital policy issues, including presentations of differing visions and viewpoints.

The Open Forum, headed by an elected Chairperson who serves directly under the Secretary of State, brings new or alternative policy recommendations to the Secretary and other principals from U.S. Government employees, at all levels, of the Department of State and USAID. The Open Forum provides opportunities for any employee to express professional views (including dissenting views) candidly, free of bureaucratic constraints, and under safeguards against pressures or penalties.

In presenting the award Distinguished Public Service Award to General Clark, Alan Lang said: