John Lehman

John Lehman is an American investment banker, author, and former government official who served as the 65th United States Secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan. A key architect of the Reagan Administration's ambitious naval expansion, he championed the goal of a "600-ship United States Navy" to counter the Soviet Navy during the Cold War. His tenure was marked by significant procurement programs, strategic initiatives, and notable controversies, cementing his legacy as a transformative and forceful leader in modern naval affairs.

Early life and education

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a family with a strong business and civic tradition. He received his undergraduate education at Saint Joseph's University before earning a master's degree in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania. Demonstrating an early focus on strategic studies, he pursued further education at Cambridge University, where he received a PhD, and also attended Oxford University as a Fulbright Scholar. His academic work laid a firm foundation in geopolitics and military history, which would later inform his policy decisions in Washington, D.C..

Naval career

He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve and served actively during the Vietnam War. Qualifying as a naval flight officer, he accumulated hundreds of hours in aircraft like the A-6 Intruder while serving with attack squadrons aboard the aircraft carrier USS *Saratoga*. His operational experience provided him with firsthand insight into carrier air wing capabilities and fleet logistics. Following his active duty, he remained in the Naval Reserve, eventually retiring with the rank of commander, and served on the staff of the National Security Council under Henry Kissinger.

Secretary of the Navy

Appointed by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the United States Senate, he served as Secretary of the Navy from 1981 to 1987. He aggressively advocated for and implemented the plan to rebuild the United States Navy to 600 deployable battle force ships, a direct challenge to Soviet maritime power. This buildup included commissioning new *Nimitz*-class aircraft carriers, *Ticonderoga*-class cruisers, and *Los Angeles*-class submarines. He was a principal proponent of the Maritime Strategy, which emphasized forward deployment and aggressive carrier battle group operations in regions like the Norwegian Sea and the Sea of Japan. His tenure also saw the invasion of Grenada and the bombing of Libya, demonstrating naval power projection. His management style and involvement in procurement, notably during the "Pentagon–PAW controversy" involving the A-12 Avenger II program, were subjects of significant scrutiny and congressional investigation.

Post-government career

After leaving the Department of Defense, he returned to the private sector, co-founding the investment banking firm J.F. Lehman & Company. He served as a member of the 9/11 Commission, formally known as the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, contributing to its influential final report. He has authored several books on naval history and strategy, including *Command of the Seas* and *Oceans Ventured*, and frequently contributes commentary on defense policy for outlets like *The Wall Street Journal*. He has also held board positions with corporations such as Ball Aerospace and served on advisory boards for institutions like the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Personal life

He is married and has children. An avid sailor, he has participated in competitive yacht racing, including the Newport Bermuda Race. He maintains a residence in New York City and has been involved with various philanthropic and educational organizations, including supporting his alma mater, Saint Joseph's University. His brother, Christopher Lehman, also served in the Reagan Administration as a staff member on the National Security Council.

Category:United States Secretaries of the Navy Category:American investment bankers Category:United States Navy officers