Alexander Haig
former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Army general (1924-2010) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr. (December 2, 1924 – February 20, 2010) was a United States Army general and diplomat.
Quick Facts 59th United States Secretary of State, President ...
Alexander Haig | |
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59th United States Secretary of State | |
In office January 22, 1981 (1981-January-22) – July 5, 1982 (1982-July-05) | |
President | Ronald Reagan |
Deputy | William P. Clark Walter John Stoessel, Jr. |
Preceded by | Edmund Muskie |
Succeeded by | George P. Shultz |
7th Supreme Allied Commander Europe | |
In office December 16, 1974 (1974-December-16) – July 1, 1979 (1979-July-01) | |
President | Gerald Ford Jimmy Carter |
Deputy | John Mogg Harry Tuzo Gerd Schmückle |
Preceded by | Andrew Goodpaster |
Succeeded by | Bernard W. Rogers |
5th White House Chief of Staff | |
In office 1973–1974 | |
President | Richard Nixon Gerald Ford |
Preceded by | H. R. Haldeman |
Succeeded by | Donald Rumsfeld |
Deputy National Security Advisor | |
In office 1970–1973 | |
President | Richard Nixon |
Preceded by | Robert Komer |
Succeeded by | Brent Scowcroft |
Personal details | |
Born | Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr. December 2, 1924 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Died | February 20, 2010(2010-02-20) (aged 85) Baltimore, Maryland |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Patricia (nee Fox, 1950–his death) |
Alma mater | U.S. Military Academy (B.S.) Columbia Business School (M.B.A.) Georgetown University (M.A.) |
Profession | Soldier, civil servant |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Defense Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Bronze Star Combat Infantryman Badge Purple Heart Presidential Service Badge |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1947–1979 |
Rank | General |
Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
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He was the United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan. He was also White House Chief of Staff under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He also was Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. This is the second-highest ranking officer in the Army.[1] He was in charge of all US and NATO forces in Europe.
Haig was a veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, and the Purple Heart.[2]
On February 20, 2010, Haig died from complications from a staphylococcal infection, aged 85.[3]