Brig. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III speaks to media on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 after a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Combined Arms Military Operations in Urban Terrain (CAMOUT) facility at Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Clardy has been nominated for promotion to Maj. Gen., the Department of Defense announced Thursday. Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun
A second star will soon be on the collar of Brig. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.
Clardy, who served as Commanding General of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center and Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command in Twentynine Palms from Sept. 24, 2009 – July 6, 2011, is one of seven Marine Corps Brigadier Generals nominated for promotion to Major General (O-8).
Clardy received his first star in September 2009 shortly before taking the local command job and now has over three years time-in-grade. He was the 39th commander of the base in Twentynine Palms.
According to the Marine Corps Promotion Manual, Volume 1, Officer Promotions, to be promoted to the rank of Maj. Gen., Clardy must first be nominated by the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense, and the President. His presidential nomination is what triggered yesterday’s announcement. At this point, his nomination moves to the Senate, which has final promotion approval authority for General Officers.
Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center commanding general Brig. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III addresses the audience during a joint birthday celebration, rededication of colors, and Silver Star ceremony on base Friday morning, August 20, 2010. Clardy currently works at Headquarters Marine Corps in Virginia and will soon be promoted to Maj. Gen. Crystal Chatham, The Desert Sun
Since turning over command of the base and MAGTF training command to Brig. Gen. George W. Smith two years ago, Clardy has served as Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps in Arlington, Virginia. Smith is now headed to Afghanistan to serve as Deputy Commander, II Marine Expeditionary Force [Forward] for Security Force Assistance after the most recent Change of Command ceremony was held at Twentynine Palms on January 11.
Clardy earned his commission in 1983. As an infantry officer, his command experience grew from heavy machinegun, rifle, and weapons platoons of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines to serving as company commander for 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion. He commanded 3rd LAR in combat during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He promoted to Colonel and commanded 2nd Marine Regiment and Regimental Combat Team 2 (RCT2) also during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
According to his official Marine Corps biography, he has also held a variety of staff positions during his career.
Clardy is a recipient of the Legion of Merit with two gold stars and combat distinguishing device, Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Combat Action Ribbon, and Presidential Unit Citation.
