Albert Clark was born on August 27, 1913, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on July 1, 1932, and was commissioned a 2nd Lt on June 12, 1936. Lt Clark completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings at Randolph Field, Texas, in October 1937, and then served at Selfridge Field, Michigan, where he became one of the first members of the 31st Pursuit Group (later redesignated the 31st Fighter Group) when it was activated there in December 1939. Col Clark deployed with the group to England as its deputy commander in June 1942, and was shot down over France and taken as a Prisoner of War by the Germans on July 26, 1942. He was held at Stalag Luft III at Sagan, Silesia, and later at Nuremberg-Langwasser, Bavaria, before being repatriated on April 29, 1945. After the war, Col Clark completed Armed Forces Staff College, and then served on the staff at Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, Virginia, until January 1950, when he transferred to the staff of Headquarters Continental Air Command at Mitchel AFB, New York, serving until January 1951. His next assignment was with Headquarters Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, Colorado, from January to August 1951, followed by National War College in Washington, D.C., from August 1951 to July 1952. Col Clark next served with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from July 1952 to July 1955, and then as commander of the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing at Chaumont AB, France, from August 1955 to December 1956. Gen Clark served as Chief of Staff of U.S. Air Forces in Europe from December 1956 to November 1957, followed by service as commander of the 2nd Air Division and Chief of the U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia from November 1957 to August 1959. His next assignment was as Director of Military Personnel at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from August 1959 to July 1963, and then as commander of the 313th Air Division at Kadena AB, Okinawa, from July 1963 to August 1965. Gen Clark served as Vice Commander of Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB from August 1965 to August 1968, and then served as Commander of Air University at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from August 1968 to August 1970. His final assignment was as Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy from August 1970 until his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1974. Albert Clark died on March 8, 2010, and was buried at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

His 3rd Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, awards the Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Albert P. Clark for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. General Clark distinguished himself as Superintendent, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado from 1 August 1970 to 31 July 1974. In this important assignment, General Clark's outstanding leadership techniques, superb motivational ability, and untiring managerial efforts were highly impressive in the production of future leaders of the United States Air Force and the free world. General Clark's superior insight, appreciation for high ideals and belief in the young men of America, have provided a lasting contribution to the Armed Forces of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Clark culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.