Vernon Eugene Clark[1] (born September 7, 1944) is a retired admiral who served as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the United States Navy.

Clark graduated from Evangel College and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Arkansas.

Ashore, Clark first served as special assistant to the director of the Systems Analysis Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

He served as head of the Cruiser-Destroyer Combat Systems Requirements Section and force anti-submarine warfare officer for the commander of Naval Surface Force, Atlantic Fleet, and he directed the Joint Staff's Crisis Action Team for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

[citation needed] Clark's first flag assignment was at the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), where he was director of plans and policy (J5) and financial management and analysis (J8).