Grandmaster William D. Clingan 9th Dan Pin # 5845

Grandmaster William D. Clingan started his martial arts training in 1958. The first style he learned was Shotokan, though it didn't last long. In 1962 he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea. There, he met Master Ki Yun Yi and was introduced to Master J.C. Shin.

In 1963, Master Shin told him he was ready to test for his Black Belt in Seoul before Grandmaster Hwang Kee. From 1st Dan to 4th Dan Master, his tests were presided over by Grandmaster Hwang Kee. In 1971 Master Clingan returned to the U.S. and opened the Korean Karate Academy on the west coast, which he still operates today. In May of that year, along with Grandmaster Michael Driggers, he founded the All American Tang Soo Do Association.

In 1982 Grandmaster Clingan read the proclamation at the Charter Convention for The World Tang Soo Do Association. He retired from active military duty in 1983 and resumed teaching full time. He stayed as a Regional Director with The World Tang Soo Do Association until 1987.

In 1993 Grandmaster Clingan joined the International Tang Soo Do Federation and was elected Vice-President by Grandmaster C.S. Kim. He stayed with ITF until 1996 and has been independent of any national organization ever since.

In addition to Tang Soo Do, Grandmaster Clingan is also a 1st Dan in Hapkido under the late Grandmaster Bong Soo Han. Over the years he has been sought after to conduct clinics nationally.

In November of 2002 his All American Tang Soo Association was renamed Grandmaster Clingan's Tang Soo Do Association. On December 10, 2008, at a celebration honoring his 50th anniversary in the martial arts, he was awarded the rank of 9th Dan in the International Martial Arts Association by Grandmaster Ki Yun Yi.

In addition to teaching Tang Soo Do, Grandmaster Clingan has also taught hand to hand and defensive tactics while stationed at the Pentagon, as well as to countless local Police agencies. At present he continues to teach in Marysville, California and travels occasionally to conduct clinics.