Dean Rusk
David Dean Rusk (February 9, 1909 – December 20, 1994) was an American politician. He served as the United States Secretary of State from 1961 to 1969 under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Rusk is the second-longest serving U.S. Secretary of State of all time, behind only Cordell Hull and tied with William H. Seward.
Dean Rusk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 54th United States Secretary of State | |
| In office January 21, 1961 – January 20, 1969 | |
| President | John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | Christian A. Herter |
| Succeeded by | William P. Rogers |
| 2nd Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs | |
| In office March 28, 1950 – December 9, 1951 | |
| President | Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | William Walton Butterworth |
| Succeeded by | John Moore Allison |
| 1st Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs | |
| In office February 8, 1949 – May 26, 1949 | |
| President | Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | Post created |
| Succeeded by | John D. Hickerson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Dean Rusk February 9, 1909 Cherokee County, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | December 20, 1994 (aged 85) Athens, Georgia, U.S.[1] |
| Resting place | Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Virginia Foisie Rusk
(m. 2009; "his death" is deprecated; use "died" instead. 1994) |
| Children |
|
| Education | Davidson College Oxford University UC Berkeley School of Law |
| Profession | Professor, Soldier, Politician |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
As Secretary of State he believed in the use of military action to combat communism. On March 24, 1961, Rusk released a brief statement saying his delegation was to travel to Bangkok and the SEATO nations' responsibility should be considered if peace settlements are not realized.[2]
In 1964, Rusk said the US would not be pushed out of the Gulf of Tonkin and that the prevention of it becoming a "communist lake" would be assured by the continued presence of American forces there.[3]
During his later years, Rusk showed his support of Richard Nixon and his handling of the Cold War.[4]
Rusk died of heart failure in Athens, Georgia on December 20, 1994, at the age of 85.
References
change- ↑ New York Times, December 22, 1994, pg. A1
- ↑ "DEAN RUSK WARNS OF LAOS DANGERS; ON WAY TO SEATO". Chicago Tribune. March 24, 1961. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ↑ Korman, Seymour (September 22, 1964). "Reds Can't Push U.S. from Gulf, Rusk Says". Chicago Tribune.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Jones, William (July 27, 1969). "Rusk Backs ABM, Hails Peace Work". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
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