https://history.defense.gov Historical Office Biographies RSS Feed en-us Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:27:00 GMT Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:35:25 GMT https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/4244292/peter-b-hegseth/ 25 January 2025-PresentThe Honorable Pete Hegseth is the 29th Secretary of Defense, sworn in on Jan.<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2025/Jul/15/2003754361/150/150/0/250127-H-TT977-1051.PNG' alt='Peter B. Hegseth' /> <br /> Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:27:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/4244292/peter-b-hegseth/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/2485520/lloyd-j-austin-iii/ 22 January 2021-20 January 2025Lloyd J. Austin III was born on August 8, 1953, in Mobile, Alabama.<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2025/Jul/15/2003754333/150/150/0/250714-D-ZZ714-001.PNG' alt='Lloyd J. Austin III' /> <br /> Thu, 28 Jan 2021 16:41:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/2485520/lloyd-j-austin-iii/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/1915183/mark-t-esper/ 23 July 2019-9 November 2020Dr. Mark T. Esper was born on April 26, 1964, in Uniontown,<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2020/Nov/13/2002534681/150/150/0/201119-D-ZZ999-001.PNG' alt='Mark T. Esper' /> <br /> Wed, 24 Jul 2019 17:41:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/1915183/mark-t-esper/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/1059855/james-n-mattis/ 20 January 2017-31 December 2018 Born in Pullman, Washington, on September 8, 1950, James Mattis<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2019/Jan/02/2002076460/150/150/0/181231-D-ZZ999-002.PNG' alt='20 January 2017-31 December 2018' /> <br /> Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:35:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/1059855/james-n-mattis/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571296/ashton-b-carter/ February 17, 2015 -19 January 2017Ashton B. Carter was sworn-in as the 25th Secretary of Defense on<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2017/Jan/25/2001690486/150/150/0/170119-D-ZZ777-001.PNG' alt='Barack Obama 17 February 2015-19 January 2017' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Feb 2015 15:11:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571296/ashton-b-carter/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571277/chuck-hagel/ February 27, 2013 – February 17, 2015Chuck Hagel was sworn in as the 24th Secretary of Defense on<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2015/Feb/23/2001011615/150/150/0/150223-D-ZZ999-015.JPG' alt='Barack Obama Administration February 27, 2013 – February 17, 2015' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:03:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571277/chuck-hagel/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571278/leon-e-panetta/ July 1, 2011 – February 26, 2013Leon Edward Panetta was sworn in as the 23rd secretary of defense on<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802822/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-013.JPG' alt='Barack Obama Administration July 1, 2011 – February 26, 2013' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:57:07 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571278/leon-e-panetta/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571279/robert-m-gates/ December 18, 2006 – June 30, 2011Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in on December 18, 2006, as the 22nd<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802821/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-012.JPG' alt='Obama Administration December 18, 2006 – June 30, 2011' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:58:57 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571279/robert-m-gates/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571280/donald-h-rumsfeld/ January 20, 2001 – December 18, 2006Donald H. Rumsfeld was sworn in as the 21st Secretary of Defense<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802819/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-010.JPG' alt='George W. Bush Administration January 20, 2001 – December 18, 2006' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:01:03 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571280/donald-h-rumsfeld/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571281/william-s-cohen/ January 24, 1997 – January 20, 2001On 5 December 1996 President Clinton announced his selection of<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802838/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-022.JPG' alt='William J. Clinton Administration January 24, 1997 – January 20, 2001' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:02:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571281/william-s-cohen/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571282/william-j-perry/ February 3, 1994 – January 23, 1997In December 1993 President Clinton selected retired Vice Adm.<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802839/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-023.JPG' alt='William J. Clinton Administration February 3, 1994 – January 23, 1997' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:04:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571282/william-j-perry/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571283/leslie-aspin/ January 21, 1993 – February 3, 1994President-elect Bill Clinton's choice for secretary of defense,<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802835/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-024.JPG' alt='William J. Clinton Administration January 21, 1993 – February 3, 1994' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:09:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571283/leslie-aspin/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571284/richard-b-cheney/ March 21, 1989 – January 20, 1993President George Bush initially chose former Texas Sen. John G.<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802836/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-025.JPG' alt='George H.W. Bush Administration March 21, 1989 – January 20, 1993' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:11:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571284/richard-b-cheney/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571285/frank-c-carlucci/ November 23, 1987 – January 20, 1989Frank C. Carlucci, who had served as Caspar Weinberger's deputy<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802837/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-026.JPG' alt='Ronald Reagan Administration November 23, 1987 – January 20, 1989' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:13:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571285/frank-c-carlucci/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571286/caspar-w-weinberger/ January 21, 1981 – November 23, 1987Caspar W. Weinberger, President Ronald Reagan's choice to be the<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802898/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-030.JPG' alt='Ronald Reagan Administration January 21, 1981 – November 23, 1987' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:16:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571286/caspar-w-weinberger/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571287/harold-brown/ January 21, 1977 – January 20, 1981President Carter's choice as secretary of defense, Harold Brown,<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802897/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-028.JPG' alt='James Carter Administration January 21, 1977 – January 20, 1981' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:17:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571287/harold-brown/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571288/donald-h-rumsfeld/ November 20, 1975 – January 20, 1977Born on 9 July 1932 in Chicago, Donald H. Rumsfeld graduated<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802896/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-029.JPG' alt='Gerald Ford Administration November 20, 1975 – January 20, 1977' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:19:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571288/donald-h-rumsfeld/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571289/james-r-schlesinger/ July 2, 1973 – November 19, 1975James R. Schlesinger was born on 15 February 1929 in New York City<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802818/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-009.JPG' alt='Richard Nixon / Gerald Ford Administration July 2, 1973 – November 19, 1975' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:44:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571289/james-r-schlesinger/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571290/elliot-l-richardson/ January 30, 1973 – May 24, 1973Sworn into office on 30 January 1973, Elliot L. Richardson served<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802820/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-011.JPG' alt='Richard Nixon Administration January 30, 1973 – May 24, 1973' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:46:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571290/elliot-l-richardson/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571291/melvin-r-laird/ January 22, 1969 – January 29, 1973Chosen by President-elect Richard M. Nixon as secretary of<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802828/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-019.JPG' alt='Richard Nixon Administration January 22, 1969 – January 29, 1973' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:48:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571291/melvin-r-laird/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571292/clark-m-clifford/ March 1, 1968 – January 20, 1969On 19 January 1968 President Johnson announced his selection of<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802826/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-017.JPG' alt='Lyndon Johnson Administration March 1, 1968 – January 20, 1969' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:51:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571292/clark-m-clifford/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571271/robert-s-mcnamara/ January 21, 1961 – February 29, 1968Defense issues, including the missile gap, played a prominent<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802823/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-014.JPG' alt='John F. Kennedy / Lyndon Johnson Administration January 21, 1961 – February 29, 1968' /> <br /> Tue, 20 May 2014 14:57:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571271/robert-s-mcnamara/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571270/thomas-s-gates-jr/ December 2, 1959 – January 20, 1961Gates was sworn in as secretary of defense on an interim<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802817/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-008.JPG' alt='Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration December 2, 1959 – January 20, 1961' /> <br /> Tue, 20 May 2014 14:55:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571270/thomas-s-gates-jr/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571269/neil-h-mcelroy/ October 9, 1957 – December 1, 1959On 4 October 1957, just four days before Secretary of Defense<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802824/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-015.JPG' alt='Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration October 9, 1957 – December 1, 1959' /> <br /> Tue, 20 May 2014 14:54:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571269/neil-h-mcelroy/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571268/charles-e-wilson/ January 28, 1953 – October 8, 1957The election of 1952 brought to the White House Dwight D.<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802831/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-007.JPG' alt='Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration January 28, 1953 – October 8, 1957' /> <br /> Tue, 20 May 2014 14:52:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571268/charles-e-wilson/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571267/robert-a-lovett/ September 17, 1951 – January 20, 1953Having served for one year as deputy secretary of defense under<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802829/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-020.JPG' alt='Harry S. Truman Administration September 17, 1951 – January 20, 1953' /> <br /> Tue, 20 May 2014 14:49:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571267/robert-a-lovett/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571266/george-c-marshall/ September 21, 1950 – September 12, 1951Given the military situation in Korea and persistent<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802830/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-021.JPG' alt='Harry S. Truman Administration September 21, 1950 – September 12, 1951' /> <br /> Tue, 20 May 2014 14:46:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571266/george-c-marshall/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571265/louis-a-johnson/ Louis A. Johnson, born in Roanoke, Virginia, on 10 January 1891, earned a law degree from the<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802827/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-018.JPG' alt='Harry S. Truman Administration March 28, 1949 – September 19, 1950' /> <br /> Tue, 20 May 2014 14:44:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571265/louis-a-johnson/ https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571293/james-v-forrestal/ September 17, 1947 – March 28, 1949Confronted immediately at its creation with complex global<br/> <img src='https://media.defense.gov/2014/Jun/23/2000802825/150/150/0/140623-D-ZZ999-016.JPG' alt='Harry S. Truman Administration September 17, 1947 – March 28, 1949' /> <br /> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:57:00 GMT Press Operations https://history.defense.gov/Multimedia/Biographies/Article-View/Article/571293/james-v-forrestal/