Wm. A. Lee Clarke III, a Salisbury attorney, has been commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel, in the Maryland Defense Force, Judge Advocate General's Corps ( JAG ).

The Maryland Defense Force is a uniformed military agency of volunteers under the Adjutant General of Maryland and the Maryland Military Department. The mission of the MDDF is to provide competent supplemental professional and technical support to the Maryland Military Department (MMD) and the Maryland National Guard (MDARNG), as required.

Judge advocates in the MDDF serve each of the 23 counties in Maryland in order to ensure local coverage for every MDARNG member and his or her family. When not activated for emergency state service, the individuals in the MDDF, JAG Corps provide legal assistance, as requested, to the several MDARNG units throughout the state. Such activities include the delivery of required legal training and lectures and support to the state military justice system.

Lt. Col. Clarke is a United States Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran.

Lt. Col. Clarke will continue his full-time private law practice, in Salisbury, in addition to his MDDF duties.