James R. Schlesinger, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

James R. Schlesinger

United States Secretary of Defense; United States Secretary of Energy; economist, academic and educator

Date of Birth: 15-Feb-1929

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, United States

Date of Death: 27-Mar-2014

Profession: politician, economist, university teacher

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

James Rodney Schlesinger (February 15, 1929 – March 27, 2014) was an American economist and public servant who was best known for serving as Secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.
Prior to becoming Secretary of Defense, he served as Chair of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) from 1971 to 1973, and as CIA Director for a few months in 1973.
He became America's first Secretary of Energy under Jimmy Carter in 1977, serving until 1979. While Secretary of Defense, he opposed amnesty for draft resisters and pressed for development of more sophisticated nuclear weapon systems.
Additionally, his support for the A-10 and the lightweight fighter program (later the F-16) helped ensure that they were carried to completion.