Leslie Aspin

Democrat Representative of Wisconsin's 1st district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1938 (57 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1995

Death

Served as the 18th U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1993 to 1994 under President Bill Clinton.
Represented Wisconsin’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971 to 1993.
Known for his intellectual approach and moderate stance on controversial issues.
Supported some Reagan administration policies, including the MX missile and aid to Nicaraguan Contras, while opposing others like the B-2 bomber and Strategic Defense Initiative.
Played a significant role in the House’s support for military action against Iraq in 1991.
As Secretary of Defense, addressed complex social issues, including the roles of women and homosexuals in the military.
Proposed military budget cuts and restructuring following the Cold War.
Resigned from the Secretary of Defense position after the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Somalia due to inadequate military support.
Educated at Yale University, the University of Oxford, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning degrees in history and economics.
Worked as a congressional staff member and taught economics at Marquette University before entering politics.
Faced health challenges, including a heart condition, during his tenure as Secretary of Defense.
After leaving office, he continued to contribute to public service and academia until his death in 1995.