Eric Ken Shinseki (; Japanese: 新関 健, romanized: Shinseki Ken, born November 28, 1942) is a retired United States Army general who served as the seventh United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2009–2014) and the 34th Chief of Staff of the Army (1999–2003).[3] Shinseki is a veteran of two tours of combat in the Vietnam War, in which he was awarded three Bronze Star Medals for valor and two Purple Hearts. He was the first Asian-American four-star general, and the first Asian-American Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[5]
Quick Facts 7th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, President ...
Eric Shinseki |
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Shinseki in 2009 |
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In office January 21, 2009 – May 30, 2014 |
President | Barack Obama |
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Deputy | W. Scott Gould Sloan D. Gibson |
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Preceded by | James Peake |
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Succeeded by | Bob McDonald |
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In office June 21, 1999 – June 11, 2003 |
President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
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Preceded by | Dennis Reimer |
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Succeeded by | Peter Schoomaker |
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In office November 24, 1998 – June 21, 1999 |
President | Bill Clinton |
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Preceded by | William W. Crouch |
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Succeeded by | Jack Keane |
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Born | (1942-11-28) November 28, 1942 (age 81) Lihue, Hawaii, U.S. |
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Spouse | Patricia Shinseki |
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Children | 2 |
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Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Duke University (MA) |
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Allegiance | United States |
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Branch/service | United States Army |
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Years of service | 1965–2003 |
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Rank | General |
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Commands | Chief of Staff of the United States Army Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army Seventh United States Army Allied Land Forces Central Europe NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1st Cavalry Division 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division |
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Battles/wars | Vietnam War Bosnian War |
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Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart (2)[1][2] |
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