Who was Leslie Aspin Jr. and what were his primary roles in American politics?

Leslie Aspin Jr. (July 21, 1938 – May 21, 1995) was an American politician and economist who served as a U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district from 1971 to 1993, and later as the 18th United States Secretary of Defense from 1993 to 1994. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

What was Les Aspin's reputation in Congress regarding defense matters?

In Congress, Les Aspin developed a reputation as an intellectual and a leading authority on defense issues. He often took a middle-of-the-road stance on controversial topics, balancing support for some administration policies with opposition to others, such as the B-2 bomber and the Strategic Defense Initiative.

What significant foreign policy event did Les Aspin influence in early 1991?

Les Aspin played a crucial role in convincing the House of Representatives to support the resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq in January 1991, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. His accurate prediction of a swift victory with minimal casualties enhanced his reputation.

What key social and military issues did Les Aspin address during his tenure as Secretary of Defense?

As Secretary of Defense, Aspin navigated complex social issues such as the roles of homosexuals in the military and women in combat. He also managed major decisions regarding the use of military force in global crises like Somalia, Bosnia, and Haiti, and oversaw the post-Cold War downsizing of the military.

What led to Les Aspin's resignation as Secretary of Defense?

Les Aspin resigned as Secretary of Defense on February 3, 1994. While officially cited as for personal reasons, observers widely attributed his departure to the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Somalia following the Battle of Mogadishu, criticism over his handling of the incident, and potential disagreements over defense budget cuts.

Where and when was Leslie Aspin Jr. born?

Leslie Aspin Jr. was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 21, 1938.

What was Les Aspin's educational background?

Aspin pursued higher education at prestigious institutions, earning a Bachelor of Arts in history from Yale University, a Master of Philosophy in economics from the University of Oxford, and a Doctor of Philosophy in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

What was Les Aspin's military service experience?

Before entering politics, Les Aspin served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 as a Captain. During his service, he worked as a systems analyst at the Pentagon in the Office of Systems Analysis.

How did Les Aspin begin his political career and what was his initial platform?

Les Aspin began his political career by teaching economics at Marquette University and working as a congressional staff member for Senator William Proxmire. When he first ran for Congress in 1970, he campaigned as a peace candidate, opposing the Vietnam War.

How did Les Aspin win his first congressional election in 1970?

Aspin won a close Democratic primary in 1970 after a recount and subsequently defeated the incumbent Republican, Henry Schadeberg, in the general election to represent Wisconsin's 1st congressional district.

For how long did Les Aspin serve in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Les Aspin served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 22 years, from January 3, 1971, until his resignation on January 20, 1993, completing 11 terms.

What legal action did Les Aspin take regarding the My Lai massacre investigation?

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 controversial plan by the Air Force did Les Aspin criticize in 1973?

In 1973, Les Aspin publicly criticized the U.S. Air Force for a plan that involved testing poisonous gases on beagle puppies whose vocal cords were to be tied, sparking significant public outcry.

What was Les Aspin's stance on the MX missile and aid to the Nicaraguan Contras?

During his time in Congress, Les Aspin supported the Reagan administration's policies regarding the MX missile and providing aid to the Nicaraguan Contras, which sometimes put him at odds with other Democrats.

When did Les Aspin become chairman of the House Armed Services Committee?

Les Aspin assumed the chairmanship of the House Armed Services Committee in 1985.

What controversies arose during Les Aspin's chairmanship of the House Armed Services Committee?

Aspin's chairmanship faced controversy, particularly from some House Democrats, due to his support for certain Reagan administration defense policies and his temporary removal from the chairmanship in January 1987, though he regained it shortly after.

What were some of Les Aspin's defense policy views that concerned the military upon his nomination as Secretary of Defense?

Upon his nomination as Secretary of Defense, Aspin's skepticism towards the Strategic Defense Initiative, his advocacy for a smaller Navy, and his support for reducing U.S. troop presence in Europe and overall military personnel strength caused concern within the military establishment.

What were the post-Cold War dangers identified by Les Aspin upon taking office as Secretary of Defense?

Upon taking office, Aspin identified several post-Cold War dangers, including the uncertainty of reforms in the former Soviet Union, the risk of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons, the proliferation of regional conflicts, and the impact of the domestic economy on national security.

What health issues did Les Aspin experience shortly after becoming Secretary of Defense?

Within his first month in office in February 1993, Les Aspin was hospitalized for a serious heart ailment and later received a heart pacemaker, impacting his ability to immediately address departmental issues.

What was the 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy implemented during Aspin's tenure as Secretary of Defense?

The 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy, released in December 1993, was a compromise regarding homosexual conduct in the armed forces. It stated that applicants would not be asked about their sexual orientation, and orientation alone would not disqualify service unless manifested by homosexual conduct.

What policy changes did Les Aspin announce regarding women in combat roles in April 1993?

In April 1993, Aspin announced a revised policy allowing women to compete for assignments in combat aircraft, opening more Navy ships to women, and directing the Army and Marine Corps to identify opportunities for women in combat support roles like field artillery.

What was the purpose of the 'bottom-up review' initiated by Les Aspin?

The 'bottom-up review' was initiated by Aspin to comprehensively reevaluate the U.S. military's structure, strategy, and weapon systems in the context of the post-Cold War era, aiming to define a force capable of meeting future threats.

What specific force structure capabilities were projected in the bottom-up review report released in September 1993?

The bottom-up review report projected a force structure capable of fighting and winning two simultaneous major regional conflicts, detailing specific numbers for active Army divisions, carrier battle groups, submarines, ships, Marine brigades, and Air Force fighter wings.

What factors contributed to the projected shortfall in the five-year Defense budget during Aspin's time as Secretary?

The projected shortfall in the Defense budget was attributed to factors such as inaccurate inflation estimates, a military pay raise, the failure to account for all Pentagon costs including peacekeeping operations, and the substantial force size required to meet the two-regional-war scenario.

How did Les Aspin address the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program?

Les Aspin announced the end of the 'Star Wars era,' renaming the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization as the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) and shifting its priorities to theater and national missile defense, thereby downgrading the program.

What was the 'Partnership for Peace' program promoted by Les Aspin within NATO?

The 'Partnership for Peace' program was a U.S.-sponsored initiative promoted by Aspin to foster military cooperation between NATO members and non-member nations through activities like joint training, equipment sharing, and peacekeeping operations.

What was the U.S. response to the political crisis in Haiti during Aspin's tenure?

The U.S. pressured Haiti's military government to reinstate President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, including sending the USS Harlan County with troops to Port-au-Prince, though the mission was aborted when the ship was met by a hostile mob.

What was the U.S. concern regarding North Korea's nuclear program in late 1993?

In late 1993, the U.S. expressed concern over North Korea's potential nuclear weapons development program, particularly after the country refused inspections of its nuclear sites and demanded the cancellation of joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises.

What conclusion did a House Armed Services Committee report, chaired by Aspin, reach about the 1991 Gulf War?

A report from the House Armed Services Committee, chaired by Aspin, concluded that the U.S. Central Command had significantly exaggerated the damage inflicted on Iraqi military equipment, such as tanks and naval vessels, by air strikes during the 1991 Gulf War.

What was Les Aspin's stance on using ground forces in the Bosnian civil war?

Les Aspin did not favor the use of ground forces for intervention in the Bosnian civil war, considering the deployment of sophisticated weapons a more viable option.

What military request did General Colin Powell make regarding the Somalia mission that Les Aspin denied?

General Colin Powell requested tanks, armored vehicles, and AC-130 Spectre gunships to support U.S. troops preparing for the Battle of Mogadishu, a request that Les Aspin denied, believing it was made in the context of humanitarian aid delivery rather than troop protection.

How did Les Aspin appear when testifying before Congress about the Somalia disaster?

When testifying before a congressional committee regarding the Somalia disaster, Les Aspin reportedly made an unfavorable impression and appeared weak in his responses to detailed probing and criticism of his performance.

What roles did Les Aspin undertake after leaving his position as Secretary of Defense?

After leaving the Pentagon, Aspin joined the faculty at Marquette University's international affairs program in Washington, joined the board of the Henry L. Stimson Center, and chaired the President's Intelligence Advisory Board and the Aspin–Brown Commission.

What was the nature of Les Aspin's congenital heart condition?

Les Aspin suffered from a congenital heart condition known as asymmetric septal hypertrophy, a form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which necessitated the implantation of a pacemaker during his tenure as Secretary of Defense.

What medical event led to Les Aspin's death?

Les Aspin's death on May 21, 1995, was attributed to his congenital heart condition being complicated by a stroke that occurred in May 1995.

How many terms did Les Aspin serve in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Les Aspin served 11 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 1st congressional district from 1971 to 1993.

What was Les Aspin's vote percentage in his 1970 general election victory?

In the 1970 general election for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, Les Aspin won with 60.93% of the vote, defeating incumbent Henry Schadeberg.

What was the margin of victory for Les Aspin in the 1976 election for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district?

Les Aspin won the 1976 election with a significant plurality of 64,735 votes over his opponent, William W. Petrie.

Who was Les Aspin's opponent in the 1990 general election for the House of Representatives, and what was the result?

Les Aspin faced no opposition in the 1990 general election for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, winning 100.0% of the vote.

What was the outcome of the 1992 election for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district?

In his final election to the House of Representatives in 1992, Les Aspin secured 57.56% of the vote, defeating his Republican opponent, Mark Neumann.

What was Les Aspin's role in the Aspin–Brown Commission?

In March 1995, Les Aspin took on the role of chairman for the study group focused on the Roles and Capabilities of the Intelligence Community, which became known as the Aspin–Brown Commission.

What was the name of the policy regarding homosexual conduct in the armed forces that Aspin released in December 1993?

The policy released in December 1993 concerning homosexual conduct in the armed forces was known as the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.

What specific military aircraft were requested by General Powell for the Battle of Mogadishu that Aspin denied?

General Colin Powell requested tanks, armored vehicles, and AC-130 Spectre gunships to support U.S. troops during the preparation for the Battle of Mogadishu.

What was the name of the think-tank Les Aspin joined after leaving the Pentagon?

After leaving his position as Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin joined the board of directors of the Washington-based think-tank, the Henry L. Stimson Center.

How did Marquette University honor Les Aspin?

Marquette University named its Les Aspin Center for Government in his honor, recognizing his contributions and legacy.

What was Les Aspin's stance on the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program?

Les Aspin declared 'the end of the Star Wars era,' renaming the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization as the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) and refocusing its priorities, signaling a reduction in the program's prominence.

What was the conclusion of the House Armed Services Committee report regarding the U.S. military's performance in the 1991 Gulf War?

A report conducted by the House Armed Services Committee concluded that the U.S. Central Command had significantly exaggerated the damage inflicted on Iraqi military equipment by air strikes during the 1991 Gulf War.

Les Aspin Wiki: Les Aspin: A Statesman's Journey Through Defense and Diplomacy

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Biography

Early Life and Education

Leslie Aspin Jr. (July 21, 1938 – May 21, 1995) was an American politician and economist. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Aspin demonstrated early academic prowess, graduating summa cum laude from Yale University with a degree in history. He furthered his studies at the University of Oxford, earning a Master of Philosophy in economics, and later completed a Doctor of Philosophy in economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Military and Early Career

Aspin served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968, working as a systems analyst at the Pentagon. Before entering Congress, he served as a staff member for Senator William Proxmire and taught economics at Marquette University. His early political involvement included an unsuccessful bid for Wisconsin State Treasurer in 1968.

Personal Life

Aspin met his wife, Maureen Shea, during the Vietnam War in Saigon. They married in 1969 but divorced in 1979. Aspin's health was impacted by a congenital heart condition, which required hospitalization and the implantation of a pacemaker during his tenure as Secretary of Defense. This condition was later complicated by a stroke, leading to his death in 1995.

Congressional Service

House Representative

Aspin represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971 to 1993. Initially elected as a peace candidate opposing the Vietnam War, he evolved into a respected defense policy expert. He was known for his intellectual approach and often took centrist positions on defense issues.

Armed Services Committee

Aspin's influence grew significantly as he rose through the ranks of the House Committee on Armed Services, eventually chairing it from 1985 to 1993. During this period, he navigated complex debates, supporting some Reagan administration policies like the MX missile while opposing others, such as the B-2 bomber. His support for the use of force against Iraq in 1991, following its invasion of Kuwait, bolstered his reputation as a military authority.

Electoral History

Aspin was consistently re-elected throughout his congressional career, demonstrating strong constituent support in Wisconsin's 1st district. His electoral success spanned multiple decades, reflecting his enduring presence in national politics.

Secretary of Defense

Nomination and Confirmation

Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, Aspin brought extensive defense expertise to the role of Secretary of Defense. His nomination was seen as a strategic move to bolster the administration's defense credentials. Despite some concerns from the military establishment regarding his proposed budget cuts and policy stances, he received easy confirmation from the Senate.

Navigating Global Challenges

Aspin's tenure was marked by significant international challenges, including managing the U.S. military's role in Somalia, Bosnia, and Haiti. He grappled with complex social issues within the military, such as the integration of homosexuals ("Don't Ask, Don't Tell") and the role of women in combat. His efforts to restructure military forces post-Cold War and manage the defense budget faced considerable political and bureaucratic hurdles.

Resignation and Legacy

The tragic deaths of U.S. soldiers in Somalia, particularly following the Battle of Mogadishu, led to intense criticism and Aspin's eventual resignation in February 1994. While facing criticism for his handling of the situation, some observers defended his performance, attributing challenges to broader systemic issues. After leaving office, he remained active in public service, joining Marquette University's faculty and chairing the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.

Key Policy Stances

Defense Budget and Strategy

Aspin initiated a "bottom-up review" of the military structure to adapt to the post-Cold War era. His budget proposals aimed to reduce defense spending while maintaining capabilities for regional conflicts. He advocated for a smaller Navy, troop reductions in Europe, and a reevaluation of programs like the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which he effectively downgraded by renaming the organization.

International Engagement

As Secretary of Defense, Aspin was involved in U.S. foreign policy initiatives, including NATO's "Partnership for Peace" program aimed at integrating former Soviet bloc nations. He also dealt with escalating tensions with North Korea over its nuclear program and responded to regional crises in Haiti and the Persian Gulf.

Enduring Legacy

Public Service

Les Aspin's career spanned over two decades of dedicated public service. His intellectual rigor and deep understanding of defense matters left a significant mark on U.S. policy during a critical period of geopolitical transition. Marquette University honored his contributions by naming its Center for Government in his name.

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References

Newsweek, 'The Collapse Of Les Aspin', John Barry, 12-26-1993

A full list of references for this article are available at the Les Aspin Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

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Les Aspin: Architect of Policy

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Nomination and Confirmation

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Defense Budget and Strategy

International Engagement

Enduring Legacy

Public Service

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Les Aspin: Architect of Policy

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Biography

Early Life and Education

Military and Early Career

Personal Life

Congressional Service

House Representative

Armed Services Committee

Electoral History

Secretary of Defense

Nomination and Confirmation

Navigating Global Challenges

Resignation and Legacy

Key Policy Stances

Defense Budget and Strategy

International Engagement

Enduring Legacy

Public Service

Further Reading

Teacher's Corner

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References

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