Clarence Self Ridley (June 22, 1883 – July 26, 1969) was an American military officer who served as the governor of the Panama Canal Zone from 1936 to 1940.

[3] Ridley graduated fourth in a class of 114 from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1905.

[6][7] Ridley then served as chief of the U.S. Military Mission to Iran from 1942 to 1946, for which he was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal,[5][8] the citation for which reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Clarence Self Ridley (ASN: 0-2024), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period from November 1942 to October 1945.

The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ridley reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

[9]His promotion to major general was made permanent on February 27, 1947, and he retired from active duty on June 30, 1947, after forty-two years of service.