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Lucius Clay
Historical Figure
Nationality: United States
Year of Birth: 1898
Year of Death: 1978
Cause of Death: Heart failure
Occupation: Soldier, educator, engineer, military governor, businessman
Spouse: Marjorie McKeown
Children: Lucius Jr., Frank
Military Branch: United States Army (World War II)
Fictional Appearances:
The Man With the Iron Heart
POD: May 29, 1942;
Relevant POD: May, 1945
Type of Appearance: Direct
Military Branch: US Army (WWII)

Lucius Dubignon Clay (April 23, 1898 – April 16, 1978) was an United States Army general and military governor best known for his administration of Germany immediately after World War II, replacing Dwight Eisenhower from 1947-49. He retired in 1949. Clay is considered the "father" of the Berlin Airlift (1948–49).

Clay did not see actual combat during the war. After retiring, Clay served in a variety of advisory positions to subsequent U.S. presidents.

Lucius Clay in The Man With the Iron Heart[]

During Lucius Clay's governorship of Germany, the German Freedom Front intensified its attacks against the Allied occupation. Clay was a vocal supporter of continued occupation.[1] Although Clay's tenure saw the death of Reinhard Heydrich and the public celebration of those who brought Heydrich to justice,[2] it was too little too late. Congress refused to continue funding the occupation, and so American forces withdrew.

Clay presided over the withdrawal into 1948.

References[]

  1. The Man With the Iron Heart, pg. 369-71.
  2. Ibid., pgs. 504-7.
Military offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Joseph T. McNarney
Military Governor of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany
January 6, 1947 – May 14, 1949
Succeeded by
Clarence R. Huebner
Commanding General of U.S. Army in Europe
March 15, 1947 to May 15, 1949
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