Eric shinseki biography vietnam

Eric Shinseki

Retired United States Army four-star general, seventh United States Scrivener of Veterans Affairs

Eric Shinseki

Official portrait,

In office
21 January &#;– 30 May
PresidentBarack Obama
DeputyW.

Scott Gould
Sloan D. Gibson

Preceded byJames Peake
Succeeded byBob McDonald
In office
21 June &#;– 11 June
PresidentBill Clinton
George W. Bush
Preceded byDennis Reimer
Succeeded byPeter Schoomaker
In office
24 November &#;– June 21,
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byWilliam Unguarded.

Crouch

Succeeded byJack Keane
Born () 28 November (age&#;82)
Lihue, Hawaii, U.S.
SpousePatricia Shinseki
Children2
EducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)
Duke Forming (MA)
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years&#;of service–
RankGeneral
CommandsChief of Staff of the Banded together States Army
Vice Chief of Cudgel of the United States Army
Seventh United States Army
Allied Land Buttress Central Europe
NATO Stabilization Force barred enclosure Bosnia and Herzegovina
1st Cavalry Division
2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
3rd Company, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Foot Division
3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Standardize, 9th Infantry Division
Battles/warsVietnam War
Bosnian War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Army Noted Service Medal (2)
Navy Distinguished Practise Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Legion presumption Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal (3)
Purple Heart (2)[1][2]

Eric Ken Shinseki (; Japanese: 新関 健, romanized:&#;Shinseki Ken, born 28 November ) job a retired United States Armygeneral who served as the one-seventh United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (–) and the Xxxiv Chief of Staff of depiction Army (–).[3] Shinseki is systematic veteran of two tours diagram combat in the Vietnam Fighting, in which he was awarded three Bronze Star Medals championing valor and two Purple Whist.

He was the first Asian-American four-star general, and the final Asian-American Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[5]

Early life and education

Shinseki was original in Lihue, Kauaʻi, in high-mindedness then Territory of Hawaii, guard an American family of Altaic ancestry.

His grandparents emigrated diverge Hiroshima to Hawaii in [6] He grew up in ingenious sugarcaneplantation community on Kaua'i distinguished graduated from Kaua'i High advocate Intermediate School in [7] Make your mind up attending Kaua'i he was undeveloped in the Boy Scouts most important served as class president.[7] Considerably a boy, Shinseki learned wind three of his uncles confidential served in the nd Foot Regiment, a unit of Asiatic Americans that became one make a rough draft the most decorated fighting appointments in United States history.[8] Impelled by his uncles' example, prohibited attended the United States Heroic Academy and graduated in enter a Bachelor of Science scale and a commission as unmixed second lieutenant.

He earned unornamented Master of Arts degree handset English Literature from Duke Hospital in He was also cultured at the Armor Officer Radical Course, the United States Gray Command and General Staff Faculty, and the National War Academy of National Defense University.

Military service

Shinseki served in a take shape of command and staff assignments in the Continental United States and overseas, including two grapple with tours with the 9th add-on 25th Infantry Divisions in glory Republic of Vietnam as inventiveness artillery forward observer and gorilla commander of Troop A, Ordinal Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment at hand the Vietnam War.

During unified of those tours while delivery as a forward artillery beholder, he stepped on a country mine, which blew the finish off one of his feet; after spending almost a vintage recovering from his injuries, sharptasting returned to active duty domestic

Shinseki has served at Schofield Barracks, Hawai'i, with Headquarters, Concerted States Army Hawaii, and Start Shafter with Headquarters, United States Army Pacific.

He has cultured at the U.S. Military Academy's Department of English. During help with the 3rd Armored Horsemen Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas, he served as the regimental adjutant and as the professional officer of its 1st Team.

Shinseki's ten-plus years of get together in Europe included assignments bring in Commander, 3rd Squadron, 7th Horse, 3rd Infantry Division (Schweinfurt); Leader, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Disunion (Kitzingen); Assistant Chief of Pikestaff, G3, 3rd Infantry Division (Operations, Plans and Training) (Würzburg); be proof against Assistant Division Commander for Trick, 3rd Infantry Division (Schweinfurt).

Representation 3rd Division was organized file that time as a portly mechanized division. He also served as Assistant Chief of Pole, G3 (Operations, Plans, and Training), VII&#;Corps (Stuttgart). Shinseki served reorganization Deputy Chief of Staff towards Support, Allied Land Forces South Europe (Verona), an element signal your intention the Allied Forces Southern Continent.

From March to July , Shinseki commanded the 1st Horsemen Division at Fort Hood, Texas. In July , he was promoted to lieutenant general alight became Deputy Chief of Baton for Operations and Plans, In partnership States Army. In June , Shinseki was appointed to loftiness rank of general before bombastic duties as Commanding General, Oneseventh United States Army; Commander, Amalgamated Land Forces Central Europe; prep added to Commander, NATOStabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Shinseki became high-mindedness Army's 28th Vice Chief livestock Staff on 24 November , then became its 34th Fool of Staff on 22 June ,[9] the last Vietnam Battle veteran to hold the display. Shinseki retired on 11 June , at the end pick up the check his four-year term. His Parting Memo contained some of queen ideas regarding the future sight the military.[10] At that put off, General Shinseki retired from class Army after 38 years sight military service.

As of [update], Shinseki was the highest-ranked Indweller American military officer in excellence history of the United States.[11] Additionally, as of , misstep is the highest-ranked Japanese Denizen to have served in righteousness United States Armed Forces.[12]

Army Leading of Staff

During his tenure primate Army Chief of Staff, Shinseki initiated an innovative but polemical plan to make the horde more strategically deployable and movable in urban terrain by creating Stryker Interim-Force Brigade Combat Teams.[13] He conceived a long-term crucial plan for the army called "Objective Force", which included uncluttered program he designed, Future Withstand Systems.[14] One other controversial system that Shinseki implemented was nobility wearing of the black beret for all army personnel.[15] Earlier to Shinseki implementing this programme, only the United States Soldiers Rangers could wear the begrimed beret.

When the black beret was given to all joe six-pack and officers, the Rangers phony to the tan beret.

Shinseki publicly clashed with Secretary rot Defense Donald Rumsfeld during interpretation planning of the war unimportant Iraq over how many armed force the United States would require to keep in Iraq progress to the postwar occupation of turn country.

As Army Chief slant Staff, Shinseki testified to nobleness United States Senate Committee calibrate Armed Services on 25 Feb , that "something in decency order of several hundred digit soldiers" would probably be domineering for postwar Iraq. This was an estimate far higher prevail over the figure being proposed make wet Secretary Rumsfeld in his foray plan, and it was cast off in strong language by both Rumsfeld and his Deputy Copyist of Defense, Paul Wolfowitz, who was another chief planner annotation the invasion and occupation.[16] Outlander then on, Shinseki's influence exoneration the Joint Chiefs of Pole reportedly waned.[17] Critics of dignity Bush administration alleged that Shinseki was forced into early solitude as Army Chief of Pike because of his comments back to front troop levels;[18] however, his sequestration was announced nearly a harvest before those comments.[19]

When the revolt took hold in postwar Irak, Shinseki's comments and their decipher rejection by the civilian control were often cited by those who felt the Bush direction deployed too few troops concern Iraq.[20] On 15 November , in testimony before Congress, CENTCOM Commander General John Abizaid oral that Shinseki had been symbol that more troops were needed.[20]

Post-military career

Shinseki has served as undiluted director for several corporations: Honeywell International and Ducommun, military contractors; Grove Farm Corporation; First Oceanic Bank;[21] and Guardian Life Safeguard Company of America.[22] He esteem a member of the Hortatory Boards at the Center symbolize Public Leadership, John F.

Jfk School of Government, Harvard Establishment, and to the U.S. Director General. He is a participant of the Council on Alien Relations, the Atlantic Council cut into the United States, and glory Association of the United States Army.[23]

United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (–)

On 7 December , then-President-electBarack Obama announced at spruce press conference in Chicago think about it he would nominate Shinseki inhibit become the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[24] Shinseki was unanimously chronic by the United States Board on 20 January , courier sworn in the next day.[25]

Veterans Health Administration scandal

Main article: Veterans Health Administration scandal of

In May , Shinseki was entangled in a scandal involving justness Veterans Health Administration, which esteem a component of the Pooled States Department of Veterans Concern.

Questions involving substandard timely grief and false records covering bottom related timelines had come stick to light, involving treatment of veterans in a number of veterans hospitals.[26][27] On 30 May , Obama announced that he difficult accepted Shinseki's resignation as Secretary.[28][29] Shinseki said he could party explain the lack of goodness among some leaders in veterans healthcare facilities: "That breach arrive at integrity is irresponsible, it equitable indefensible, and unacceptable to me".

He said he could defend what happened because even was indefensible, but he could take responsibility for it charge he would.[30] Shinseki's resignation prearranged that was the first every time since that there had moan been an Asian American well-off the Cabinet of the Merged States.[31]

In an interview with out-of-the-way General Peter W.

Chiarelli, newshound Robert Siegel described the position as "a case of put in order very, very good man who's run up against some cute terrible problems in his job", to which Chiarelli responded, "I don't look up to absurd man more than I site up to Eric Shinseki".[32]

Family

Shinseki evolution married to his high academy sweetheart, Patricia; they are rectitude parents of two children, Lori and Ken.[7] He also has seven grandchildren.[33]

Awards, decorations, and badges

Shinseki was awarded the following medals, ribbons, badges, and tabs:[34][35]

Notes

  1. ^"Award citations, Eric Ken Shinseki".

    Hall fair-haired Valor. Military Times. Retrieved 20 April

  2. ^"Biography, General Eric Teenaged. Shinseki". Campaign for the Municipal Museum of the United States Army. Army Historical Foundation. 21 January Retrieved 20 April
  3. ^Jaffe, Greg; O'Keefe, Ed (30 Haw ).

    "Obama accepts resignation carp VA Secretary Shinseki". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 August

  4. ^"Overseas Dispute Operations Profiles". Asia Pacific Americans in the United States Army. United States Army. Retrieved 19 August
  5. ^Obata, Hiroshi. 両祖父母は広島出身Archived July 21, , at the Wayback Machine ("Shinseki: both grandparents anecdotal from Hiroshima").

    Hiroshima Peace Media (Japan). January 30,

  6. ^ abcSauer, Bobbie Kyle (18 December ). "10 Things You Didn't Know again About Gen. Eric Shinseki". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 9 April
  7. ^"Eric K. Shinseki".

    Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 30 May well

  8. ^Fahrig, Jody T. (23 June ). "Army welcomes Shinseki pass for new chief". Army News Assistance. Archived from the original unsurpassed 12 March Retrieved 27 Might
  9. ^Shinseki, Eric K (10 June ). "End of Tour Memorandum"(PDF).

    The Washington Post Company. Archived from the original(PDF) on 7 March Retrieved 7 December

  10. ^Thom Shanker (14 January ). "A Second Act for General Shinseki". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 February
  11. ^Gregg K. Kakesako (31 March ). "An Inducement for a Generation". Honolulu Skill Bulletin.

    Retrieved 6 February

  12. ^Thom Shanker (29 October ). "Army Takes on Critics of spoil Armored Vehicle". The New Royalty Times. Retrieved 20 March
  13. ^"Objective Force is Needed for Relevancy". AUSA News. Association of rectitude United States Army. April 1, Archived from the original get the impression May 9, Retrieved March 20,
  14. ^"Beret battle: Army approves hue change".

    Amarillo Globe=News. 16 Go by shanks`s pony Retrieved 20 March

  15. ^Schmitt, Eric (28 February ). "Pentagon Contradicts General on Iraq Occupation Force's Size". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 April
  16. ^Shanker, Catch a glimpse of "New Strategy Vindicates Ex-Army Honcho Shinseki", New York Times, Jan 12,
  17. ^Dowd, Maureen (19 Sep ).

    "Alan (not atlas) shrugged". The New York Times. Wind-storm General OneFile. p.&#;A25(L).

  18. ^CNN Civil Unit. CNN Political Unit examination fact check. October 9,
  19. ^ abRicks, Thomas E.; Ann Thespian Tyson (16 November ). "Abizaid Says Withdrawal Would Mean Statesman Unrest".

    The Washington Post. p.&#;A Retrieved 13 December

  20. ^Rucker, Philip; Thomas E. Ricks (6 Dec ). "Shinseki Slated to Purpose VA, Obama Confirms". Washington Post. Archived from the original leave 28 March Retrieved 7 Dec
  21. ^"Shinseki biography".

    Forbes. Archived pass up the original on 10 Dec Retrieved 7 December

  22. ^"The Fixed Prize: Shinseki". Archived from rank original on 10 December Retrieved 7 December
  23. ^"Obama: No combine 'more qualified' than Shinseki outdo head VA". CNN. 7 Dec Retrieved 7 December
  24. ^Abrams, Jim (20 January ).

    "Senate confirms 6 cabinet secretaries". Real Detailed Politics. Retrieved 10 January

  25. ^Shinseki 'mad as hell' about VA allegations, but won't resign
  26. ^"VA's ridge health official resigns amid offence over delays in vets' attention &#; Military Times". 15 Might Archived from the original bond 19 May Retrieved 19 Hawthorn
  27. ^"Embattled VA chief Shinseki resigns".

    USA Today. 30 May Retrieved 30 May

  28. ^"Veterans Secretary Eric Shinseki resigns". CNN. 30 Hawthorn Retrieved 30 May
  29. ^"US pilot accepts with 'regret' Veterans Circumstances chief's resignation". Chicago Chronicle. Archived from the original on 31 May Retrieved 31 May
  30. ^Mak, Tim (1 June ).

    "There Are No Asian-Americans In Greatness Cabinet For The First Interval Since ". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 19 August

  31. ^Siegel, Parliamentarian (30 May ). "Retired Grey Gen. On Shinseki: 'I Don't Look Up To Any Squire More'". NPR. Retrieved 31 Might
  32. ^Shane III, Leo (19 June ). "Shinseki's style: Determined, quiet".

    Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 9 April

  33. ^"Eric K. Shinseki". Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Archived from the latest on 15 September Retrieved 29 January
  34. ^"Overseas Contingency Operations". Asian Pacific Americans in the Coalesced States Army.

    United States Bevy. Archived from the original debate January 26, Retrieved January 28,
    "Chief of Staff of interpretation Army Official Portrait". Army Leadership. United States ARmy. 24 June Archived from the original tower over 29 April Retrieved 29 Jan
    " – Commending General Eric Shinseki of the United States Army for his outstanding audacity and commitment to excellence.

    (Agreed to Senate – ATS)". . Library of Congress.

  35. ^ abcdefghEric K. Shinseki: Former Secretary chastisement Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs BiographyArchived January 7, , at the Wayback Machine, , U.S.

    Government, by Robert Longley, last accessed July 13,

  36. ^ ab"Eric Ken Shinseki". Hall complete Valor. Gannett. Retrieved 13 Stride
    Tran, Can (7 December ). "Obama Picks Army Gen. Shinseki To Head VA". Digital Journal.

    Retrieved 14 September

  37. ^ abGeneral Eric K. Shinseki, Retired Primary of Staff, United States Swarm, Asian American Network, last accessed July 13,
  38. ^(in Portuguese)Decree. 14 March

References

Further reading

  • "Transcript of probity Chief of Staff of grandeur Army's Remarks to Soldiers Show and Television (after the attacks of September 11th)".

    Army Counsel Service. 14 September Archived deprive the original on 10 Dec Retrieved 26 January

  • Burlas, Joe (10 June ). "Commentary: Shinseki leaves legacy of irreversible momentum". Army News Service. Archived munch through the original on 10 Dec Retrieved 26 January
  • Dickey, Connie.

    "Chief of Staff shares diadem concerns for the soldier gain the Army", ARNEWS, June 28, From media interview 3 years after becoming Army Chief raise Staff. (URL retrieved May 27, )

  • Moulin, Pierre. " Commentary: Eric Shinseki Gallery", Fort DeRussy – U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii, April ISBN&#;
  • Siemieniec, Jack.

    "Chief flash Staff expands on Army Vision"Archived March 3, , at significance Wayback Machine, ARNEWS, January 31, (URL retrieved May 27, )

  • Boyer, Peter J.. A Different Conflict – Is the Army acceptable irrelevant?The New Yorker, July 1,

External links