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Leslie Aspin Jr. was born in Wisconsin and represented the state throughout his political career in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Answer: True
Explanation: Leslie Aspin Jr. was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district for 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Les Aspin's educational background included degrees from Yale University, the University of Oxford, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source indicates Aspin earned degrees from Yale University (B.A.), the University of Oxford (M.Phil. in economics), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D. in economics).
Before entering politics, Les Aspin served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, working as a systems analyst at the Pentagon.
Answer: True
Explanation: Les Aspin served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 as a Captain, working as a systems analyst at the Pentagon.
Which of the following universities did Les Aspin attend for his graduate studies in economics?
Answer: University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Explanation: Les Aspin earned graduate degrees in economics from the University of Oxford (M.Phil.) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D.).
Les Aspin began his political career opposing the Vietnam War and advocating for increased military spending.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Les Aspin began his political career opposing the Vietnam War, the source indicates he campaigned as a peace candidate, not advocating for increased military spending.
Les Aspin served 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, completing 11 terms.
Answer: True
Explanation: Les Aspin served 11 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, totaling 22 years from 1971 to 1993.
In Congress, Les Aspin was recognized as an intellectual and a leading authority on defense issues, often taking a middle-of-the-road stance rather than extreme partisan positions.
Answer: True
Explanation: Les Aspin developed a reputation as an intellectual and a leading authority on defense matters, frequently adopting a balanced, middle-of-the-road approach to policy.
Les Aspin won his first congressional election in 1970 with a significant majority, defeating the incumbent Republican easily.
Answer: False
Explanation: Les Aspin won his first congressional election in 1970 after a close primary and a subsequent general election victory, rather than with a significant majority or easily defeating the incumbent.
Les Aspin's initial platform in his 1970 congressional campaign included strong support for the Strategic Defense Initiative.
Answer: False
Explanation: Les Aspin's initial platform in his 1970 congressional campaign focused on opposing the Vietnam War, not supporting the Strategic Defense Initiative, which was a later concept.
In his final House election in 1992, Les Aspin secured over 60% of the vote.
Answer: False
Explanation: In his final House election in 1992, Les Aspin secured 57.56% of the vote, not over 60%.
Les Aspin's criticism of the Air Force in 1973 concerned a plan to test poisonous gases on beagle puppies whose vocal cords were to be tied.
Answer: True
Explanation: Les Aspin's criticism of the Air Force in 1973 concerned a plan to test poisonous gases on beagle puppies whose vocal cords were to be tied.
What was Les Aspin's reputation within Congress concerning defense matters?
Answer: An intellectual and leading authority on defense issues.
Explanation: In Congress, Les Aspin developed a reputation as an intellectual and a leading authority on defense issues, often taking a middle-of-the-road stance.
How long did Les Aspin serve in the U.S. House of Representatives?
Answer: 22 years
Explanation: Les Aspin served 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, completing 11 terms.
What was Les Aspin's initial platform when he first ran for Congress in 1970?
Answer: A peace candidate opposing the Vietnam War.
Explanation: Les Aspin's initial platform when he first ran for Congress in 1970 was that of a peace candidate opposing the Vietnam War.
What was the outcome of the 1970 general election for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district where Les Aspin first won?
Answer: Aspin won with 60.93% of the vote.
Explanation: In the 1970 general election for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, Les Aspin won with 60.93% of the vote.
What legal action did Les Aspin take in April 1972 regarding the My Lai massacre investigation?
Answer: He filed a lawsuit to obtain the Peers Commission investigation report.
Explanation: In April 1972, Les Aspin filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense to obtain the release of the Peers Commission investigation report concerning the My Lai massacre.
What specific type of puppies was the Air Force planning to test poisonous gases on, according to Les Aspin's criticism in 1973?
Answer: Beagle puppies
Explanation: Les Aspin's criticism of the Air Force in 1973 concerned a plan to test poisonous gases on beagle puppies whose vocal cords were to be tied.
Les Aspin played a key role in persuading the House of Representatives to authorize the use of military force against Iraq in early 1991.
Answer: True
Explanation: Les Aspin was instrumental in garnering House support for the resolution authorizing military force against Iraq following the invasion of Kuwait.
A House Armed Services Committee report chaired by Aspin concluded that the U.S. Central Command accurately reported the damage inflicted on Iraqi equipment during the 1991 Gulf War.
Answer: False
Explanation: A House Armed Services Committee report chaired by Aspin concluded that the U.S. Central Command had significantly exaggerated the damage inflicted on Iraqi military equipment during the 1991 Gulf War, contrary to the statement.
In which year did Les Aspin become the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee?
Answer: 1985
Explanation: Les Aspin assumed the chairmanship of the House Armed Services Committee in 1985.
What foreign policy event saw Les Aspin play a crucial role in convincing the House to authorize military force in early 1991?
Answer: The response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait
Explanation: Les Aspin played a crucial role in convincing the House to authorize military force in early 1991 in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
What did a House Armed Services Committee report, chaired by Aspin, conclude about the 1991 Gulf War?
Answer: The U.S. Central Command exaggerated the damage inflicted on Iraqi military equipment.
Explanation: A House Armed Services Committee report chaired by Aspin concluded that the U.S. Central Command had significantly exaggerated the damage inflicted on Iraqi military equipment during the 1991 Gulf War, contrary to the statement.
The 'bottom-up review' initiated by Les Aspin aimed to assess the military's structure and strategy in the post-Cold War era.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'bottom-up review' was initiated to comprehensively reevaluate the U.S. military's structure and strategy in the post-Cold War context.
The bottom-up review report projected a military force capable of fighting three simultaneous major regional conflicts.
Answer: False
Explanation: The bottom-up review report projected a military force capable of fighting and winning two simultaneous major regional conflicts, not three.
Les Aspin downgraded the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program by renaming it and shifting its focus.
Answer: True
Explanation: Les Aspin renamed the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) and shifted its focus, effectively downgrading the original SDI program.
The 'Partnership for Peace' program was designed to increase military cooperation exclusively between NATO members.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Partnership for Peace' program was designed to foster military cooperation between NATO members and non-member nations, not exclusively among NATO members.
What was Leslie Aspin Jr.'s primary role in American politics after serving in Congress?
Answer: United States Secretary of Defense
Explanation: After serving 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Leslie Aspin Jr. became the 18th United States Secretary of Defense.
Which of the following was NOT among the post-Cold War dangers identified by Les Aspin upon taking office as Secretary of Defense?
Answer: The resurgence of global communism
Explanation: Upon taking office, Aspin identified dangers such as Soviet reforms, nuclear terrorism, and regional conflicts, but not the resurgence of global communism.
What was the primary goal of the 'bottom-up review' initiated by Les Aspin?
Answer: To reevaluate the U.S. military's structure and strategy post-Cold War.
Explanation: The 'bottom-up review' was initiated to comprehensively reevaluate the U.S. military's structure and strategy in the post-Cold War context.
Which program did Les Aspin effectively downgrade by renaming the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO)?
Answer: The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)
Explanation: By renaming the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) and shifting its focus, Les Aspin effectively downgraded the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program.
What was the 'Partnership for Peace' program intended to foster?
Answer: Military cooperation between NATO members and non-member nations.
Explanation: The 'Partnership for Peace' program was designed to foster military cooperation between NATO members and non-member nations, not exclusively among NATO members.
What did Les Aspin initiate to comprehensively reevaluate the U.S. military's structure and strategy in the post-Cold War era?
Answer: The Bottom-Up Review
Explanation: Les Aspin initiated the 'Bottom-Up Review' to comprehensively reevaluate the U.S. military's structure and strategy in the post-Cold War era.
Which of the following was a concern within the military establishment regarding Les Aspin's defense policy views upon his nomination as Secretary of Defense?
Answer: His skepticism towards the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and advocacy for reducing troop presence.
Explanation: Upon his nomination, military establishment concerns included Aspin's skepticism towards the Strategic Defense Initiative and his advocacy for reducing troop presence.
What was the projected capability of the military force structure outlined in the bottom-up review report released in September 1993?
Answer: To fight and win two simultaneous major regional conflicts.
Explanation: The bottom-up review report projected a military force capable of fighting and winning two simultaneous major regional conflicts.
As Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin focused solely on military downsizing and did not address social issues within the armed forces.
Answer: False
Explanation: As Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin addressed both military downsizing and significant social issues, including the roles of homosexuals in the military and women in combat.
Les Aspin resigned as Secretary of Defense due to disagreements over military pay raises.
Answer: False
Explanation: Les Aspin resigned as Secretary of Defense due to widespread observations linking his departure to the Somalia incident and criticism of his handling of it, as well as potential disagreements over defense budget cuts, not military pay raises.
Les Aspin's tenure as Secretary of Defense was immediately impacted by a serious heart ailment requiring hospitalization and a pacemaker.
Answer: True
Explanation: Shortly after becoming Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin was hospitalized for a serious heart ailment and subsequently received a pacemaker.
The 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy was implemented to allow openly gay individuals to serve in the U.S. military without restriction.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy was a compromise that prohibited asking about sexual orientation but still barred service if homosexual conduct was manifested, thus not allowing openly gay individuals to serve without restriction.
Les Aspin announced policy changes in April 1993 that expanded opportunities for women in combat aircraft and Navy ships.
Answer: True
Explanation: In April 1993, Aspin announced policy revisions allowing women to compete for assignments in combat aircraft and opening more Navy ships to female personnel.
Les Aspin's testimony before Congress about the Somalia disaster was considered strong and confident.
Answer: False
Explanation: Les Aspin's testimony before Congress regarding the Somalia disaster was reportedly perceived as weak and made an unfavorable impression, contrary to being strong and confident.
What significant health issue did Les Aspin face shortly after becoming Secretary of Defense?
Answer: A serious heart ailment requiring hospitalization and a pacemaker
Explanation: Shortly after becoming Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin was hospitalized for a serious heart ailment and subsequently received a pacemaker.
The 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy, released in December 1993, addressed which issue within the armed forces?
Answer: Homosexual conduct and service
Explanation: The 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy addressed homosexual conduct and service within the armed forces.
Why did Les Aspin resign as Secretary of Defense, according to widespread observation?
Answer: The deaths of U.S. soldiers in Somalia and criticism of his handling of the incident.
Explanation: According to widespread observation, Les Aspin resigned as Secretary of Defense due to the Somalia incident and criticism of his handling of it, as well as potential budget disagreements.
Which of the following was a key social issue Les Aspin addressed as Secretary of Defense?
Answer: The roles of homosexuals in the military.
Explanation: A key social issue Les Aspin addressed as Secretary of Defense was the roles of homosexuals in the military.
After leaving the Pentagon, Les Aspin joined the faculty at Marquette University and chaired the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following his tenure as Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin engaged in academic roles, including teaching at Marquette University, and chaired the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.
Les Aspin's death was caused by complications from a stroke that affected his congenital heart condition.
Answer: True
Explanation: Les Aspin's death was attributed to complications arising from a stroke that impacted his pre-existing congenital heart condition.
Les Aspin chaired the Aspin–Brown Commission, focusing on the roles and capabilities of the intelligence community.
Answer: True
Explanation: Les Aspin chaired the Aspin–Brown Commission, a study group dedicated to examining the roles and capabilities of the intelligence community.
Marquette University named its center for government studies in honor of Les Aspin.
Answer: True
Explanation: Marquette University honored Les Aspin by naming its center for government studies in his name.
What was Les Aspin's role after leaving the Pentagon, besides teaching and joining the Henry L. Stimson Center's board?
Answer: He chaired the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.
Explanation: After leaving the Pentagon, Les Aspin also chaired the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, in addition to teaching and joining the Henry L. Stimson Center's board.