Togo D. West Jr.

Togo D. West Jr. was an American attorney, public official, and United States Army officer who served in two cabinet-level positions under President Bill Clinton. He was the first African American to serve as both the United States Secretary of the Army and the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. A distinguished lawyer and veteran of the Vietnam War, West was known for his dedicated leadership of the United States Department of the Army and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Early life and education

Togo Dennis West Jr. was born on June 21, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was raised in a family with a strong tradition of public service and academic achievement. He attended the prestigious Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering in 1965. Remaining at Howard, he entered the Howard University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1968. During his time at Howard, he was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and was deeply influenced by the civil rights movement and the legacy of figures like Thurgood Marshall.

Military career

Following his undergraduate studies, West was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He served on active duty from 1965 to 1969, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He was a member of the Judge Advocate General's Corps, serving as a military lawyer during the Vietnam War. His legal work during this period involved complex issues of military justice and administrative law, providing a foundational experience for his later career in federal government and defense policy.

Secretary of the Army

Appointed by President Bill Clinton, West was confirmed as the United States Secretary of the Army on November 22, 1993, becoming the second African American to hold the post after Clifford Alexander Jr.. As the senior civilian official leading the United States Department of the Army, he oversaw a period of significant transformation following the end of the Cold War. His tenure involved managing force reductions, implementing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, and advocating for modernization of Army equipment and facilities. He also focused on improving quality of life for soldiers and their families at posts like Fort Bragg and Fort Hood.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

On May 4, 1998, West was sworn in as the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, succeeding acting secretary Hershel W. Gober. In this role, he led the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the largest federal agencies, which encompasses the Veterans Health Administration and the National Cemetery Administration. His priorities included improving access to healthcare for veterans, addressing claims backlogs, and enhancing services for veterans of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. He resigned from the position in July 2000.

Later life and death

After leaving the Clinton Administration, West returned to the private sector, joining the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP in Washington, D.C. He also served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, including those of Northrop Grumman, MITRE Corporation, and the National Defense University. He remained an active voice on issues of national security, veterans' affairs, and diversity. Togo D. West Jr. died on March 8, 2018, at his home in Washington, D.C. from complications of colon cancer. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Category:1942 births Category:2018 deaths Category:United States Secretaries of the Army Category:United States Secretaries of Veterans Affairs