Lynwood Clark

Lieutenant General (USAF) Lynwood (Lyn) Clark, born in Delhi on March 1, 1929, passed away at the age of 95 of natural causes July 22, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. He was son to Ralph and Lorna Clark, brother to Jean Clark, all predeceased.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Clark, daughter Catherine Clark, and son Christopher Clark. He was father-in-law to Wendy and Sandra Clark and Kale Freedman; grandfather to Kristen Clark-Wilkinson, Chelsea Freedman and grandson, Nathaniel Clark; great-grandfather to Grace Freedman, Evelyn Clark-Wilkinson and Lillian Freedman.

Lyn, a child of The Great Depression, grew up in the state of New York on a working dairy farm. There he learned that freedom was earned, to accept responsibility and commitment to himself and others. This spirit encapsulated Lyn and became his life’s mission and mantra.

He attended primary and secondary education in Delhi, then graduated from Delaware Academy. He studied aeronautical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and he is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the Industrial War College.

He began his military career as an aviation cadet in November 1949 and commissioned a second lieutenant in December 1950. From April 1951 to December 1952 during the Korean War, he was assigned as a jet fighter pilot with the Far East Air Forces in South Korea. He flew 141 combat missions in F-80s, F-84s and F-86s.

He then served as a fighter gunnery instructor at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. In February 1954 he went to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and served in various flying and staff assignments at wing level. He transferred to the 72nd Aircraft Gunnery Group at Wheelus Air Base, Libya, in November 1957. In August 1959 he became chief of standardization and evaluation for the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing at Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France, and later moved with the wing to Hahn Air Base, Germany.

On Feb. 22, 1960, he legally married USAF Lieutenant Joan Simmons in Basel, Switzerland. A church ceremony followed in April at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany.

Following graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College in June 1961, he was assigned as an operations staff officer at Tactical Air Command headquarters, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. He went to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in August 1964 as a fighter requirements staff officer at the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Warfare Center.

From January 1966 to January 1967, he served in the Republic of Vietnam as a staff adviser to the Vietnamese air force director of operations. During that time, he flew 51 combat missions and accumulated more than 100 flying hours in A-1s and 0-1s. Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., as an operations officer and later became chief of Operations Review Group, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations.

In September 1970 he became Director of Operations for the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. He transferred to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, in May 1971, as Vice Commander of the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing until December when he was named Commander. When the 347th was redesignated the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing in October 1972, he continued his duties as Commander. While under his command, the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing received the Best in Air Force Award for its fuel branch and was runner-up for the Air Force Maintenance Award.

He became Commander of the 327th Air Division at Taipei Air Station, Taiwan, in May 1973. In July 1975 he assumed command of both the 313th Air Division and the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. He served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics at Headquarters of Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, from June 1976 until his assignment to the San Antonio Air Logistics Center, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, as commander in July 1977. His final duty station was as Commander of the Alaska Air Command at Elmendorf Alaska in May of 1981 where he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. He retired on September 1, 1983.

He is a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Honor Medal, 1st Class. He flew 192 flying combat missions.

Upon retiring, Lyn and Joan moved to Eagle, Idaho, where they enjoyed the next 30 years on ten acres with his horses, cattle, farm animals and projects to entertain themselves. Lyn was integral in the development of the Boise Optimist Football program, championing fundraising efforts as well as assistant coaching and head coaching positions. His passion for helping kids grow into not only athletes, but conscientious citizens inspired generations. Lyn’s constant pursuit of education led him to Boise State University where he received multiple additional degrees and only stopped attending when he had run out of courses of interest. Lyn’s final move was to Garden Valley, Idaho, where he lived out his remaining years being active in the Community Church and Garden Valley Community. During his 95 years, he inspired the younger generation to make Family, Faith & Country priorities. “You don’t have to serve to be a patriot.”

His interment will be at Boise National Cemetery with full honors on Sept. 16, 2024.