You are correct.
The Clinton "surplus" years were a mirage. The national debt increased in every year of the Clinton presidency. In fact, it's increased every year since Nixon, IIRC.
Something has got to be done about Federal spending. We could be paying down the national debt if it weren't for Washington's sick addiction to pork, bureaucracy and entitlements.
Further back than Nixon.
The last year in which the total debt actually decreased was back when Nixon was VICE-president.....