Lucius D. Clay

Lucius Clay
Clay in 1949
Birth nameLucius Dubignon Clay
Nickname(s)The Great Uncompromiser
Born(1898-04-23)23 April 1898
Marietta, Georgia, U.S.
Died16 April 1978(1978-04-16) (aged 79)
Chatham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
Years of service1918–1949
RankGeneral
CommandsEuropean Command
Normandy Base Section
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Alma materUnited States Military Academy (BS)
ChildrenLucius
Frank
RelationsAlexander S. Clay (father)
Eugene Clay (brother)
Henry Clay (ancestor)

Lucius Dubignon Clay (23 April 1898 – 16 April 1978) was a senior officer of the United States Army who was known for his administration of occupied Germany after World War II. He served as the deputy to General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1945; deputy military governor, Germany, in 1946; Commander in Chief, United States Forces in Europe and military governor of the United States Zone, Germany, from 1947 to 1949. Clay orchestrated the Berlin Airlift (1948–1949) when the USSR blockaded West Berlin.