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Clifton Park resident Patrick Clare promoted to one-star general in the New York Army National Guard

Brigadier General Patrick Clare will serve as assistant division commander for support for the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division

Latham, NY (05/30/2025) — A Clifton Park resident who has served in the Army since 1994 and is a veteran of the Iraq War, was promoted to the one-star rank of brigadier general in the New York Army National Guard on Friday, May 30.

Patrick Clare, who entered the Army as a truck driver, now serves as the assistant division commander for support for the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division.

In that role Clare, will be responsible for the administration and logistics of the 20,000-strong division which has elements in multiple states.

Clare most recently served as the Chief of Staff of the 11,300-member New York Army National Guard, while also serving as the commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade.

Major General Jack James, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, praised Clare as an accomplished leader.

General officers are selected for what they have accomplished and what they are expected to accomplish in the future, James said.

"He's truly distinguished himself as an officer," James said of Clare.

"You've done all the tough jobs and consistently demonstrated excellence and success," James told Clare.

In his remarks, Clare thanked his family and his wife Nicole for their support over the years, while he was deployed overseas and working long hours here at home.

He also praised the enlisted Soldiers of the Army.

"You are the heart and soul of the United States Army and the New York Army National Guard," he said. "Your dedication in the face of adversity and your willingness to put service before self is a constant source of inspiration to me."

He also thanked fellow officers and non-commissioned officers who he has worked with over the years for their mentorship and support.

Clare enlisted in the New York National Guard in 1994 as a truck driver and became an officer in 2000 after completing Officer Candidate School.

Clare has served in numerous logistics positions, including forward support company commander, forward support battalion commander, brigade logistics officer, assistant chief of staff for logistics for the 42nd Infantry Division, deputy commander of the 53rd Troop Command, and Joint Force Headquarters logistics officer.

He deployed to Iraq in 2004/2005 as the transportation officer for the 42nd Infantry Division in Tikrit. In 2011, he deployed to Kuwait as brigade logistics officer for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

He deployed to Kuwait as the chief logistics officer for the 42nd Infantry Division in 2020.

He also responded as part of the New York National Guard force in New York City in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Clare is a 2002 Graduate of Nyack College with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He is also a 2019 graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a master's in strategic studies.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

He resides in Clifton Park with his wife Nicole, their son Ryan, and daughter, Michaela.

The 42nd Infantry Division is one of eight divisions in the Army National Guard and one of 19 in the United States Army. The division, headquartered in Troy, New York, compromises 5,000 Soldiers in the New York Army National Guard and nearly 15,000 Soldiers in Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New Hampshire.

The 42nd Infantry Division was formed during World War I when National Guard units from 26 states were organized into a single division to go to France quickly in the fall of 1917. The division got its nickname "The Rainbow Division" because then Col. Douglas MacArthur, the division chief of staff, said it would stretch across the country "like a Rainbow."

The division's Soldiers distinguished themselves during the major battles of World War I.

During World War II, the division was a draftee division. The division's Soldiers fought across southern Germany and captured Wurzburg, Schweinfurt, and Munich, and liberated the Dachau concentration camp.

Since 1947, the division has been part of the New York Army National Guard. In 2005, the division headquarters and main support elements deployed to Iraq, where they commanded 20,000 Soldiers of Task Force Liberty. This was the first National Guard division headquarters to go to war since the Korean War in 1952.

The division deployed again in 2020 in support of Operation Spartan Shield for operations in Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. The division provided command and control for National Guard and active Component forces.

Media Attachments

New York Army National Guard Major General Jack James, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, helps the family of Brigadier General Patrick Clare, pin his one-star general rank on during promotion ceremonies held on May 30, 2025, at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham. Clare serves as the assistant division commander for support for the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)

New York Army National Guard Brigadier General Patrick Clare, a Clifton Park resident, unfurls his one-star general’s flag during during promotion ceremonies held on May 30, 2025, at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham. Clare serves as the assistant division commander for support for the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)

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