Brigadier General Clayton E. Melton was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 30-69, 19 September 1969. His first duty assignment was as Administrative Officer, Darmstadt Support Activity, Hesson Support District, Darmstadt, Germany. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Company Commander, Frankfurt, Germany; Chief, Service Division, Frankfurt, Germany; Support Platoon Leader, Vietnam; Company Commander, Vietnam; Platoon leader, Vietnam; Company Executive Officer, Vietnam; Personnel Service Officer, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Battalion S-1, Fort Carson, Colorado; Company Commander, Fort Carson, Colorado; Brigade S-3, Fort Carson, Colorado; ROTC Instructor, Starkville, Massachusetts; G-1, 1st Armored Division, Heidelberg, Germany; Division G-3, Ansbach, Germany; Armor Battalion Commander, Ansbach, Germany; Executive Officer to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Army Europe, Germany; and Armor Brigade Commander, Fort Hood, Texas; G-3, V Corps, Frankfurt, Germany. BG Melton served as Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Armor Center at Fort Knox prior to his retirement. | He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and a Masters of Public Administration in Management from the University of Missouri. | His awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; and the Purple Heart. He is also entitled to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutists Badge.