US Defense Secretary. He graduated from Yale University in 1918 and served during World War I, flying patrols and combat missions with the British Navy and commanding a US Navy air squadron. He then studied at Harvard University, afterwards beginning a banking career that saw him become a Partner at Brown Brothers Harriman. In December 1940 Lovett was named Secretary of War Stimson's Special Assistant, and in 1941 he was named Assistant Secretary of War, earning the Distinguished Service Medal for overseeing the World War II expansion of the Army Air Force. Lovett returned to Brown Brothers Harriman in 1945, but a year later was named Under Secretary of State during Secretary of State George Marshall's tenure. In 1949 Lovett resumed his banking career, and in 1950 he agreed to serve as Deputy Defense Secretary during Marshall's term as Secretary. In 1951 Lovett succeeded Marshall as Secretary of Defense, and his term was marked by efforts to obtain budget increases he saw as necessary for a defense buildup necessitated by the Korean War and the Cold War effort to contain the Soviet Union. Lovett returned to Brown Brothers Harriman in 1953, remaining active until his early 1960s retirement. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 and a Yale professorship, the Lovett Chair of Military and Naval History is named for him.
US Defense Secretary. He graduated from Yale University in 1918 and served during World War I, flying patrols and combat missions with the British Navy and commanding a US Navy air squadron. He then studied at Harvard University, afterwards beginning a banking career that saw him become a Partner at Brown Brothers Harriman. In December 1940 Lovett was named Secretary of War Stimson's Special Assistant, and in 1941 he was named Assistant Secretary of War, earning the Distinguished Service Medal for overseeing the World War II expansion of the Army Air Force. Lovett returned to Brown Brothers Harriman in 1945, but a year later was named Under Secretary of State during Secretary of State George Marshall's tenure. In 1949 Lovett resumed his banking career, and in 1950 he agreed to serve as Deputy Defense Secretary during Marshall's term as Secretary. In 1951 Lovett succeeded Marshall as Secretary of Defense, and his term was marked by efforts to obtain budget increases he saw as necessary for a defense buildup necessitated by the Korean War and the Cold War effort to contain the Soviet Union. Lovett returned to Brown Brothers Harriman in 1953, remaining active until his early 1960s retirement. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 and a Yale professorship, the Lovett Chair of Military and Naval History is named for him.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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