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Caspar W. Weinberger

Also Known As Caspar Weinberger, Weinberger, Caspar Willard Weinberger

Former Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget

Education

  • San Francisco Polytechnic High School -
  • Commencing studies - Harvard Law School
  • scholarship to study - University of Cambridge

Overview

Caspar Willard Weinberger GBE was an American politician and businessman. As a Republican, he served in a variety of state and federal positions for three decades, most notably as Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan from January 1981 to November 1987.

Weinberger was a member of the California State Assembly from 1953 to 1959. He also served as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and Director of the Office of Management and Budget under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He later became vice president and general counsel of Bechtel Corporation.

Weinberger's tenure as Secretary of Defense was marked by his hard line against the Soviet Union, in disagreement with the State Department. He promoted the Strategic Defense Initiative. He was indicted on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing government investigations as part of the Iran–Contra investigation, but was pardoned by President George H. W. Bush before facing trial. Weinberger was awarded both the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1987 and an honorary British knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. In 1993, he became Chairman of Forbes magazine.

Early Life

Weinberger was born August 18, 1917 in San Francisco, California, the younger of two sons of Herman Weinberger (1886-1944), an attorney, and Cerise Carpenter Weinberger née Hampson (1886-1975), a music teacher, both natives of Denver, Colorado. His father was of Jewish descent from Austro-Hungary, while his maternal grandparents were from Wisconsin. Caspar Weinberger's father, Herman, was the younger brother of Luella Weinberger McNeill, mother of Don McNeill. The 1910 Census shows Herman and Luella living in the household of Nathan Weinberger, the grandfather of Caspar Weinberger.

Weinberger's paternal grandparents had left Judaism over a religious dispute while living in Bohemia. He was raised in a home with no denominational ties, though with a socially Christian orientation. Weinberger would later become an active Episcopalian and often expressed his faith in God. Weinberger had stated that his mother's Episcopal religion was "an enormous influence and comfort all my life"

Weinberger attended San Francisco Polytechnic High School. He was academically gifted and gained admission to Harvard University. Prior to commencing studies at Harvard Law School, Weinberger had been offered a scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge.

Career

  • United States - Former Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget

Recognition

Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1987.

Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 1988, awarded in recognition for an "outstanding and invaluable" contribution to military cooperation between the UK and the US, particularly during the Falklands War of 1982.

Weinberger was awarded the Gold Star Award by the International Strategic Studies Association for Outstanding Contributions to Strategic Progress Through Humanitarian Achievement.

Weinberger was inducted into the United States Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1981, the highest honor that can be bestowed on any graduate from the school.

The Walter F. Patenge Medal of Public Service from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1975.

Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1975.

Reference

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