Togo D. West Jr.
Togo West | |
---|---|
3rd United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
In office May 4, 1998 – July 25, 2000 | |
President | Bill Clinton |
Preceded by | Jesse Brown |
Succeeded by | Anthony Principi |
16th United States Secretary of the Army | |
In office November 22, 1993 – May 4, 1998 | |
President | Bill Clinton |
Preceded by | Gordon Sullivan (Acting) |
Succeeded by | Robert M. Walker (Acting) |
General Counsel of the Department of Defense | |
In office February 1, 1980 – January 20, 1981 | |
President | Jimmy Carter |
Preceded by | Deanne C. Siemer |
Succeeded by | William Howard Taft IV |
General Counsel of the Navy | |
In office April 22, 1977 – January 13, 1979 | |
President | Jimmy Carter |
Preceded by | Grey Lewis |
Succeeded by | Coleman Hicks |
Personal details | |
Born | Togo Dennis West Jr. June 21, 1942 Judge Advocate General's Corps |
Awards | Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal Order of Military Merit |
Togo Dennis West Jr. (June 21, 1942 – March 8, 2018) was an American
Early life
West was born in
He subsequently entered
While a freshman at Howard University, he became a brother of Zeta Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.[6] West was a member of the Kappa Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.[2][6]
Early career
While a law student at Howard, West became the managing editor for the Howard Law Journal.[2] Around that time, he met Gail Berry, who later became his wife.[1]
A member of
West was a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, the organization's governing body.[3] He was named a Distinguished Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award for his national contributions to America's youth.[3] He previously served as the president of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.[3]
Military and government career
After completing law school and clerking for federal District Judge
From his military service, he earned the
West held several posts in the administration of Jimmy Carter: General Counsel of the Navy (1977–79), Special Assistant to the Secretary and to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (1979), and General Counsel of the Department of Defense (1980–81).[1] As the Secretary of the Army, West weighed in on the Aberdeen scandal, prompting stricter enforcement and investigation into the Army's sexual harassment policies.[5]
West returned to private practice in 1981 with the firm of
West was nominated by President Bill Clinton on January 27, 1998, during Clinton's second term, and was confirmed by the Senate on May 4, 1998.[5] He had previously served as Secretary of the Army from 1993 to 1998.[5] From January 2, 1998, through May 4, 1998, he served a dual role as Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of the Army while awaiting confirmation as Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[1]
Post-government career
After leaving office, West practiced law and served on the boards of various institutions.
West and former Chief of Naval Operations retired admiral Vernon Clark led the Defense Department's investigation into the Fort Hood massacre, issuing a report in January 2010.[10]
West died of a
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Togo D. West Jr., Clinton appointee who investigated Army abuses and led veterans affairs, dies at 75
- ^ a b c d e "History Makers: Biography of Togo D. West". History Makers. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Boy Scouts of America Annual Report 2011
- ^ ISBN 978-0-16-043611-6.
- ^ a b c d e "Togo D. West Jr., Clinton appointee who led Veterans Affairs and investigated Army abuses, dies at 75". Los Angeles Times. March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Fall 2004: Togo West". Alpha Phi Omega @ VCU. Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Delta Iota Chapter. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ American President: Bill Clinton
- ^ (in Portuguese) Decree. August 26, 1996.
- ^ "Togo West". Center for Infrastructure Protection & Homeland Security. George Mason University. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ "West, Togo Dennis". ANCExplorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved March 2, 2022.