Clyde is a native of Kirksville, Missouri. He served in the Army as a Commissioned Officer and was the first resident of Adair County to ever be selected to the Army Special Forces (Green Berets). During the course of his duties, he had numerous stateside and combat commands.
He is the recipient of several Army commendations. Highlights of his service include Vietnam service and also in academia as the Professor of Military Science at Truman State University and Lincoln University.