Donald Rumsfeld: American politician and businessman, twice U.S. Secretary of Defense
Donald Henry Rumsfeld (July 9, 1932 – June 29, 2021) was an American businessman and politician.
Rumsfeld was the 13th United States Secretary of Defense under President Gerald Ford from 1975 to 1977, and the 21st Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006.
Donald Rumsfeld | |
|---|---|
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| 21st United States Secretary of Defense | |
| In office January 20, 2001 – December 18, 2006 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Deputy | Paul Wolfowitz (2001-2005) Gordon R. England (2005-2007) |
| Preceded by | William Cohen |
| Succeeded by | Robert Gates |
| 13th United States Secretary of Defense | |
| In office November 20, 1975 – January 20, 1977 | |
| President | Gerald Ford |
| Deputy | Bill Clements |
| Preceded by | James R. Schlesinger |
| Succeeded by | Harold Brown |
| 6th White House Chief of Staff | |
| In office September 1974 – November 20, 1975 | |
| President | Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | Alexander Haig |
| Succeeded by | Dick Cheney |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 13th Congressional district | |
| In office January 3, 1963 – March 20, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Marguerite S. Church |
| Succeeded by | Phil Crane |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 9, 1932 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | June 29, 2021 (aged 88) Taos, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Joyce H. Pierson |
| Children | Valerie J. Rumsfeld Richard Marcy K. Rumsfeld Walczak Donald Nicholas Rumsfeld |
| Alma mater | Princeton University Georgetown University Law Center |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Rank | Captain |
He was both the youngest (43 years old) and the oldest (74 years old) person to have held the position, as well as the only person to have held the position for two non-consecutive terms. Rumsfeld was also the second-longest serving Secretary of Defense, behind Robert McNamara.
Rumsfeld was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois between 1963 until 1969. He was also the Ambassador to NATO from 1973 until 1974. He was also the White House Chief of Staff from 1974 until 1975 during the Gerald Ford presidency.
He ran for President of the United States in the 1988 election, but withdrew before any primary contests were held. He thought about running again in the 1996 election, but did not run and helped Bob Dole's campaign.
Rumsfeld died of multiple myeloma at his ranch in Taos, New Mexico on June 29, 2021 at the age of 88.
References
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