1891–1974 · Male · died at 82
Sex is as recorded in the family tree. Age at death is worked out from the dates shown and may be a range or an approximation. It is left out when a date is missing or is only a “before”, “after” or “between” date, when the research has found a date Unconfirmed, when the two dates conflict, or when they would mean an age over 110.
World War II · Army · 1913–1946 Confirmed
The years are his Army career, commissioned 1913 and retired 1946; he was a general in World War II from 1943.
In the story: The twentieth century · Veterans of the family
These stories are about someone or something else, and name Brigadier General Herbert Slayden Clarkson.
Herbert Slayden Clarkson entered the Naval Academy in 1909 and became an Army field-artillery officer in 1913. During the Second World War he served as a theater inspector general.
The Army register dates Herbert's entry as a midshipman to May 6, 1909. The Naval Academy's 1913 Lucky Bag called him Bertie and recorded football and baseball numerals and service on the Hop Committee. That June he was nominated as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery, with rank from June 26. The Senate confirmed him on July 25 (nomination; Lucky Bag 1913).
The yearbook, Army register and Senate records establish the sequence. The reason for his change from Navy to Army is not stated.
Herbert served with the 2nd Field Artillery in Manila in 1914 and the 6th Field Artillery in 1916. He held temporary wartime grades in 1918, spent a year in the Quartermaster Corps and became a regular major in 1920. He completed the Field Artillery School's Advanced Course in 1927 and the Command and General Staff School in 1928. Later assignments included National Guard instruction in San Antonio and the Militia Bureau in Washington (Official Army Register, 1 Jan 1946).
The Army registers and Senate records support these posts and grades.
In April 1939 he transferred to the Inspector General's Department. He became a regular colonel in July 1942 and was nominated for temporary appointment as brigadier general on September 28, 1943. The Senate confirmed the appointment on October 7 (nomination).
The 1943 appointment was temporary; no permanent appointment is established here.
In his published diary, Eisenhower's naval aide Harry Butcher wrote on September 2, 1943, that Eisenhower wanted the inspector general to ask troops in Sicily about grievances against Patton. The diary does not name the officer.
The report itself names Clarkson as the officer who made the inquiry, on the Theater Commander's verbal instructions of September 1.
Clarkson made the inquiry himself, with Colonel Egmont F. Koenig, in Sicily from September 2 to 16, 1943, and signed his four-page report to Eisenhower on September 18. It found that Patton "did actually slap and kick two enlisted men in receiving wards of hospitals for mental exhaustion," noted "the inherent contradiction" between Patton's two explanations, and recommended only that the matter go to the Army Chief of Staff for his information. Eisenhower read it on September 22 and had it placed in the headquarters' secret file. The whole report is on Herbert Clarkson and the report on Patton, 1943.
Read from the signed report, declassified in 1966, which the Eisenhower Library supplied in October 2026. Stanley P. Hirshson's biography of Patton writes that Clarkson recommended discipline; the report does not.
A Signal Corps photograph taken near Lucca, Italy, on October 13, 1944, identifies Herbert as a brigadier general and inspector general for the North African Theater of Operations. His 1974 death notice described earlier service in the Pancho Villa expedition, training duties at Leon Springs and field-artillery service in France during the First World War. It gave his retirement as 1945, after thirty-two years in the Army.
The photograph supports the 1944 post. The earlier service episodes and retirement account remain Unconfirmed because they rely on a retained death notice without an identified newspaper or exact publication date.
Why: Herbert is listed as a child of William Clarkson in the 1900 census household in Houston.
Records:
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Likely (09-24-2026, newspapers): Named as W. B. Clarkson's children in Texas newspapers and memorials. · Likely (09-24-2026, research): Named as W. B. Clarkson's children in Texas newspapers and memorials.
Why: Herbert is listed as a child in William and Alice Clarkson's 1900 household; Alice is recorded as the mother of seven children, all living.
Records:
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Likely (09-24-2026, newspapers): Named as W. B. Clarkson's children in Texas newspapers and memorials. · Likely (09-24-2026, research): Named as children of W. B. and Alice Clarkson in Texas newspapers and memorials.
Why: In her sworn 1923 passport application she stated that she was Herbert S. Clarkson's wife and that they married at San Antonio on 18 Sep 1913; the 1930, 1940 and 1950 censuses list her as his wife. The marriage record itself is known only from a citation in the family tree and has not been inspected.
Records:
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Why: Herbert Kelso Clarkson's 1916 birth certificate names his father as H. S. Clarkson ('First Lieut. U.S.A.') and his mother as Ruth Joyce Kelso; Ruth's 1973 death certificate names her son Herbert K. Clarkson as informant; the 1940 census has Herbert S., Ruth and Herbert K. in one household. The certificate gives only the initials; the 1940 census (Herbert S., a Colonel, with Ruth and Herbert K.) and Ruth's marriage identify him.
Records:
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-03-2026, imported tree): The FTM import's own unassessed link. · Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
| Name | Brigadier General Herbert Slayden Clarkson (the family tree records Herbert Slayden Clarkson (Brigadier General)) |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 May 1891 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: Given on his Texas death certificate; a later record, not a birth registration. Records: Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. |
| Died | 2 Feb 1974, San Antonio, Texas Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: His Texas death certificate. Records:
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. |
| Residence | 1900, Houston Ward 3, Harris, Texas, USA Image: U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939 · Image: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 · Image: Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982 |
| Education | Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy through Congressman Slayden, 1908 Likely evidence: show whyWhy: San Antonio Light, 25 Sep 1908 (clipping saved in the research); his 1913 Army nomination calls him a 'late midshipman, United States Navy'. His class and when he left the Academy are not established. Records:
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Likely (09-24-2026, newspapers): The 1908 newspaper report alone. |
| Residence | 1910, San Antonio Ward 8, Bexar, Texas Image: 1900 U.S. Census, Houston Ward 3, Harris County, Texas: Percy Clarkson, with his parents and six siblings. · Image: 1910 U.S. Census, San Antonio Ward 8, Bexar County, Texas: Percy, still in his parents' household. · Image: 1950 U.S. census, Olmos Park City, Bexar County, Texas, ED 15-2, sheet 32, lines 5-6, sheet started 19 May 1950: Herbert S. Clarkson (59) and his wife Ruth K. (58). |
| Marriage | 18 Sep 1913, San Antonio, Texas, with Ruth Joyce Kelso Clarkson 1891–1973 Likely evidence: show whyWhy: Her own sworn statement in her 1923 passport application. The marriage record is citation-only and has not been inspected. Records:
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Military service | 27 JUN 1913 |
| Military service | Second lieutenant of Field Artillery, confirmed by the Senate, 25 Jul 1913 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The Senate's confirmations of 25 Jul 1913. Records:
Review: assessed 09-26-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Military service | Named in the Senate's executive nominations as 'Herbert Slayden Clarkson, of Texas, late midshipman, United States Navy', for appointment as second lieutenant of Field Artillery with rank from 26 June 1913, 27 Jun 1913 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The nominations received by the Senate on 27 Jun 1913. It does not say why he left the Navy. Records:
Review: assessed 09-26-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Arrival | BET 1919 AND 1920 |
| Departure | BET 14 JUL 1919 AND 1920, Brest, France |
| Military service | Listed on an officers' roster at Camp Travis as a temporary Lieutenant Colonel, Quartermaster Corps (permanent rank Captain, Field Artillery), duty with Camp Supply, about 1920, Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas Likely evidence: show whyWhy: An undated Army roster page; it gives name and rank only (surname partly hidden by a fold), so the identity with Herbert Slayden Clarkson rests on the name, rank and place. Records:
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Residence | 1920, Justice Precinct 3, Bexar, Texas Image: 1920 United States Federal Census |
| Military service | Described as 'Major H. S. Clarkson of San Antonio' in the obituary of his father-in-law Winchester Kelso, 25 Nov 1925, San Antonio, Texas Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The San Antonio Light of 25 Nov 1925 names Mrs. Ruth Kelso-Clarkson as the wife of Major H. S. Clarkson of San Antonio: a printed record of his rank at that date. Records:
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Residence | 1930, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia |
| Residence | 1931, San Antonio, Texas, USA |
| Arrival | 28 NOV 1933, New York |
| Residence | 1935, Fort Sill, Comanche, Oklahoma |
| Military service | Enumerated as head of household with occupation 'Colonel', industry 'U.S. Army', 16 Apr 1940, Chicago, Illinois Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The 1940 census entry for Herbert S. Clarkson (49, born Texas) with Ruth and Herbert K. Records:
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Residence | 1 APR 1940, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States |
| Military service | Colonel, Field Artillery: named for temporary appointment as brigadier general in the Army of the United States, 28 Sep 1943 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The nominations received by the Senate on 28 Sep 1943 (page images read in the R6-C04 research). A temporary appointment, as printed; no permanent rank is claimed. Records:
Review: assessed 09-26-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Military service | Temporary brigadier general, confirmed by the Senate with the list of 28 September, 7 Oct 1943 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The Senate's confirmations of 7 Oct 1943 (page images read in the R6-C04 research). Records:
Review: assessed 09-26-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Residence | ABT 1943, San Antonio |
| Military service | Photographed as Brig. Gen. Herbert Clarkson, Inspector General, NATOUSA, 13 Oct 1944, IV Corps headquarters near Lucca, Italy Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: The National WWII Museum's caption for a U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph (read in the story-scout research). Records:
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Index or transcription examined. |
| Residence | Relation to Head of House: Head; Marital Status: Married, 1950, Olmos Park, Bexar, Texas, USA |
| BG Herbert Slayden Clarkson | 2 FEB 1974, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA |
| Residence | ABT 1974, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA |
| Burial | San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA View memorial on Find a Grave |
| Departure | Southampton, England |
| Military service | Army career of 32 years, including inspector-general work in North Africa and Italy; retired in 1945 Likely evidence: show whyWhy: As his obituary reports; the retained clipping does not show the newspaper or date. The Army Register of 1947 (p. 1335) gives his retirement as a brigadier general on May 31, 1946, and the Clarkson military-service story follows the register. Records: Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined. |
| Residence | San Artonio, Texas |
| Residence | San Antonio, Texas |
8 newspaper clippings to view here. View them larger, one at a time.
The San Antonio Light, 25 Sep 1908: Herbert (Berty) Clarkson will return to the naval academy at Annapolis this week; he received his appointment through Congressman Slayden.25 Sep 1908 · p. 7
The Houston Post, 25 May 1913, p. 54: "Ensign Herbert Clarkson of San Antonio .. will be graduated at the June finals."25 May 1913 · p. 54
The San Antonio Light, 19 September 1913, p. 6: the wedding of Lieut. Herbert Slayden Clarkson and Miss Ruth Joyce Kelso at the Laurel Heights Methodist Church, "one of the most beautiful weddings that has ever taken place in that edifice."19 September 1913 · p. 6
The San Antonio Light, 11 February 1917, p. 54: "Lieutenant and Mrs. Herbert Slayden Clarkson entertained a party of forty at the Menger baile y merienda."11 February 1917 · p. 54
The San Antonio Light, 20 May 1917, p. 22: a society page (a D.A.R. and club guest list) on which the name Clarkson occurs in a society list; the words Leon Springs on the page belong to a different item.20 May 1917 · p. 22
San Antonio Light, 25 Nov 1925, p. 5: W. Kelso, S. A. Civic Leader, Is Dead (widow, son, daughter Ruth Kelso-Clarkson, brother Frank Kelso).25 Nov 1925 · p. 5
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas), Saturday 9 September 1933, p. 2 (Obituary Index entry naming Florence Alice Clarkson and William Banton Clarkson). Full newspaper page as saved.9 Sep 1933 · p. 2
San Antonio Express-News, 3 February 1974, p. 54, Classified Death Notices: the notice for Brig. Gen. Herbert Slayden Clarkson.3 February 1974 · p. 54 (Classified Death Notices, 101 - Deaths)58 record images to view here. View them larger, one at a time.
Confirmed by the Senate on 25 July 1913 as a second lieutenant, Field Artillery (H-C02). Page as printed.25 Jul 1913 · p. 2756
Lucky Bag 1913, p. 60: Herbert Slayden Clarkson, San Antonio, Texas - "Bertie," "Dimple G.," "Lush" - with his portrait.1913 · p. 60 (PDF p. 64)
Nominated 27 June 1913 as 'late midshipman, United States Navy' to be second lieutenant of Field Artillery, with rank from 26 June 1913 (H-C01). Page as printed.27 Jun 1913 · p. 2238
Army List and Directory, 20 January 1914: the entry for Herbert S. Clarkson, 2 lt. 2 field art. Manila, P. I.20 January 1914 · leaf 108
Official Army Register for 1916, index: "Clarkson, Herbert S., 2 lt. 6 field art.. 242."1916 · index, leaf 692
Army List and Directory, 1 July 1926: the entry for Herbert S. Clarkson, maj. F.A. (Instr. N.G.), San Antonio, Tex.1 July 1926 · leaf 212
Army List and Directory, 1 January 1928: the entry for Herbert S. Clarkson at the Command and General Staff School, Leavenworth.1 January 1928 · leaf 217
Army List and Directory, 1 January 1929: the entry for Herbert S. Clarkson, Militia Bureau.1 January 1929 · leaf 218
Army List and Directory, 1 January 1931: the entry for Herbert S. Clarkson, instructor of the National Guard, San Antonio.1 January 1931 · leaf 228
Army List and Directory, 20 April 1937: the entry for Herbert S. Clarkson at the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill.20 April 1937 · leaf 211
1940 census, Chicago: Herbert S. Clarkson, Colonel, U.S. Army, with Ruth and Herbert K.1940
conclusions, the recommendation, his signature, and the note that Eisenhower read it on 22 September 194318 Sep 1943 · p. 4
Confirmed with the list on 7 October 1943 (H-C04); this leaf carries the start of the confirmations, and the name is on the following leaf (H-S04). Page as printed.7 Oct 1943 · p. 8165
Congressional Record, Senate, 7 October 1943, p. 8166: a page of Army appointments, with lists of promotions in the regular army and of temporary appointments in the Army of the United States. In the third column, under 'To be brigadier generals', the name Herbert Slayden Clarkson appears between Russell Alger Osmun and Roland Francis Walsh.7 Oct 1943 · p. 8166
Continuation of the 28 September 1943 list of nominations for temporary brigadier general (H-C03). Page as printed.28 Sep 1943 · p. 7875
Continuation of the 7 October 1943 confirmation list (H-C04). Page as printed.7 Oct 1943 · p. 8166
Eisenhower Library finding aid, Pre-Presidential Papers Principal File, p. 106: the folder 'PATTON, George S., Jr. (3) [Sept. 1943 - Nov. 1943]' is described as including 'Col. H.S. Clarkson, Inspector General, to Eisenhower regarding the official inquiry into the slapping incident.'Sept.-Nov. 1943 (folder dates) · printed p. 106 of 282 (Box 91 run)
how the witnesses were questioned, and the first conclusions18 Sep 1943 · p. 3
Nominated 28 September 1943 for temporary appointment as brigadier general, Army of the United States (H-C03); this leaf carries the start of the nominations, and the name is on the following leaf (H-S03). Page as printed.28 Sep 1943 · p. 7874
Page 403 of Harry C. Butcher's My Three Years with Eisenhower, the diary entry for Algiers, 2 September 1943: Eisenhower wants the Inspector General to make a thorough canvass of the situation in Sicily to learn whether the troops still have grievances after the Patton incidents.2 Sep 1943 (published 1946) · p. 403 (scan leaf 439)
Page 404 of Harry C. Butcher's My Three Years with Eisenhower, the continuation of the Algiers entry of 2 September 1943. Hirshson's note 105 cites pages 403-404 together; this page turns to other business.2 Sep 1943 (published 1946) · p. 404 (scan leaf 440)
Pages 404-405 of Hirshson's General Patton: Hirshson's account that Everett Hughes, Eisenhower's deputy, was sending Herbert Slayden 'Bertie' Clarkson, 'Ike's inspector general,' to Sicily to look into the Patton slapping incidents (September 1943).1943 events, 2003 printing · pp. 404-405
Pages 416-417 of Hirshson's General Patton: Hirshson's account of Colonel Herbert Slayden Clarkson's inspector general report on Patton, with quotations Hirshson takes from the report and from Everett Hughes's diary (19 September 1943).1943 events, 2003 printing · pp. 416-417
the effect on the troops, and Patton's own two explanations18 Sep 1943 · p. 2
the inquiry made in Sicily, 2-16 September 1943, on Lieutenant General Patton's treatment of two hospital patients18 Sep 1943 · p. 1
Official Army Register, 1 January 1944, p. 170: "Clarkson, Herbert S. (O3605). B - Tex. 19 May 91. A - Tex. Grad. C. and G. S. Sch. 28, F. A. Sch. Advanced Course, 27. Naval Acad. 13." (the page Hirshson cites in his note 104).1 January 1944 · p. 170 (leaf 184)
Copyright page of Harry C. Butcher's My Three Years with Eisenhower (Simon and Schuster, 1946), the edition whose pages 403-404 Hirshson cites in his note 105.1946 · copyright page (scan leaf 6)
Official Army Register, 1 January 1946, Vol. I, the "Colonels - Continued" list: Herbert S. Clarkson (I.G.D.) and Charles G. Helmick, both 1 July 1942.1 January 1946 · Colonels - Continued list (leaf 1256)
Official Army Register, January 1, 1946, p. 127: Clarkson, Herbert S. and Clarkson, Percy W. Herbert S. Clarkson brig. gen. A. U. S. 14 Sept. 43; Percy W. Clarkson col. A. U. S. 14 Oct. 41, brig. gen. 20 June 42, maj. gen. 5 Dec. 42.1946 · p. 127
Official Army Register, January 1, 1947 (retired list), p. 1335: Clarkson, Herbert S., retired 31 May 46 with rank of brig. gen. Clarkson, Herbert S. (O3605).. retired 31 May 46 with rank of brig. gen.1947 · p. 1335
Army Register, 1955, vol. I, p. 936: Clarkson Herbert Slayden (retired 31 May 46) and Clarkson Percy William (retired 31 Dec 53). Brig Gen Herbert Slayden Clarkson, retired 31 May 46, DSM; Maj Gen Percy William Clarkson, retired 31 Dec 53.1955 · p. 936BG Herbert Slayden Clarkson2 Feb 1974
Clarkson family pedigree chart mailed to Margery Clarkson, August 1996 (page 1 of 6)1996-08 · chart p.3 of original
Copyright page of Stanley P. Hirshson's General Patton: A Soldier's Life, giving the edition read for Herbert Slayden Clarkson's account: the first Harper Perennial edition, 2003 (hardcover HarperCollins, 2002).2003 · copyright page
Pages 764-765 of Hirshson's General Patton, the endnotes: note 25 cites 'Report of Colonel Herbert Slayden Clarkson, Inspector General's Department, Sept. 18, 1943,' in Box 91 of the Eisenhower Pre-Presidential Papers; note 105 cites Butcher's book, pp. 403-404.2003 · pp. 764-765
Pages 808-809 of Hirshson's General Patton, the index: 'Clarkson, Herbert Slayden "Bertie," investigates slappings, 404, 417.'.2003 · pp. 808-809
1900 U.S. Census, Houston Ward 3, Harris County, Texas: Percy Clarkson, with his parents and six siblings.
1910 U.S. Census, San Antonio Ward 8, Bexar County, Texas: Percy, still in his parents' household.
1920 United States Federal Census
1930 United States Federal Census
1940 U.S. census, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, ward 42, ED 103-2678, sheet 14A, household 338 (East Delaware Place), enumerated 16 April 1940: Herbert S. Clarkson (49, colonel, U.S. Army), his wife Ruth (48) and their son Herbert K. (23, in school).
1950 U.S. census, Olmos Park City, Bexar County, Texas, ED 15-2, sheet 32, lines 5-6, sheet started 19 May 1950: Herbert S. Clarkson (59) and his wife Ruth K. (58).
Clarkson_Herbert_S
Eisenhower Library finding aid, Principal File, p. 105: the box number 91 begins at the entry PARKER, KENNETH, so the PATTON folders on the next page fall in Box 91.undated (finding aid page) · printed p. 105 of 282 (Box 91 begins)
Eisenhower Library finding aid, Principal File, p. 106: Box 91, "PATTON, George S., Jr. (3) [Sept. 1943 - Nov. 1943]" lists a document from Col. H. S. Clarkson, Inspector General, to Eisenhower regarding the official inquiry into the slapping incident.finding aid page (p. 106 of 282) · p. 106
Grave marker of Brig. Gen. Herbert Slayden Clarkson, U.S.A., 19 May 1891 - 2 Feb 1974.photograph undated
Hirshson, General Patton, pp. 404-405: Eisenhower's deputy sends 'Bertie' Clarkson, the inspector general, to Sicily after the Patton slapping incidents
Hirshson, General Patton, pp. 416-417: the passage on Colonel Clarkson's inspector general report on Patton (18 Sep 1943)
Hirshson, General Patton, pp. 764-765: endnotes 104-106 and chapter eleven notes 19-39, including note 25 citing Clarkson's report of 18 Sep 1943
Hirshson, General Patton, pp. 808-809: index entry 'Clarkson, Herbert Slayden "Bertie," investigates slappings, 404, 417'
Hirshson, General Patton: A Soldier's Life (Harper Perennial, 2003): copyright page and edition statement
Kelso-Clarkson, Main Stone
New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
Roster of officers, about 1920 (RG 64): Clarkson, Herbert S., QMC, permanent captain F.A.c1920
Roster of officers, Camp Travis, Texas, about 1920: Clarkson, Herbert S., Lt. Col. QMC.c1920
Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982
U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989
U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939Share a memory of Brigadier General Herbert Slayden Clarkson: saved privately, not published (family members can sign in to send one).
Open an evidence label for the sources, assessment and review date. Unreviewed tree entries are Unconfirmed. How sure is each statement?
American Acorns
