Max Cleland

American politician (1942-2021)

Joseph Maxwell Cleland (August 24, 1942 – November 9, 2021) was an American politician. Cleland, a Democrat, was a disabled US Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was the United States Senator from Georgia from 1997 through 2003.

Max Cleland
Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission
In office
June 3, 2009 – January 20, 2017
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byJohn W. Nicholson
Succeeded byWilliam M. Matz Jr.
United States Senator
from Georgia
In office
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003
Preceded bySam Nunn
Succeeded bySaxby Chambliss
23rd Secretary of State of Georgia
In office
January 11, 1983 – January 1996
GovernorJoe Harris
Zell Miller
Preceded byDavid Poythress
Succeeded byLewis Massey
Administrator of Veterans Affairs
In office
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
PresidentJimmy Carter
Preceded byRichard Roudebush
Succeeded byBob Nimmo
Member of the Georgia Senate
from the 55th district
In office
January 11, 1971 – January 13, 1975
Preceded byEd Reeder
Succeeded byBud Stumbaugh
Personal details
Born
Joseph Maxwell Cleland

(1942-08-24)August 24, 1942
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
DiedNovember 9, 2021(2021-11-09) (aged 79)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationStetson University (BA)
Emory University (MA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1965–1968
Rank Captain
Unit2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsVietnam War
 • Battle of Khe Sanh
AwardsSilver Star
Bronze Star with "V" Device
Soldier's Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

From 2003 to 2007, he was on the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.[1][2] From 2009 to 2017, he was Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

He lost serval limbs when he was blown by a grenade during his service in the Vietnam War.[3]

Cleland died on November 9, 2021 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia from heart failure, aged 79.[4]

References change

  1. "Max Cleland Joins Import-Export Bank Board of Directors" (Press release). Export-Import Bank of the United States. December 16, 2003. Archived from the original on July 15, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
  2. "Senate Approves Farrell for Import-Export Bank Post". Westport Now.com. August 3, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
  3. "Max Cleland, former Georgia senator and a veteran who lost limbs in Vietnam, dies at 79". PBS. 2021-11-09.
  4. Former VA administrator and Georgia senator dies at home, Atlanta Journal-Constitution