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Former US defence secretary dies Ex-Pentagon chief McNamara dies
(40 minutes later)
Robert McNamara, who served as US defence secretary during the Vietnam war and the Cuban Missile Crisis, has died aged 93.Robert McNamara, who served as US defence secretary during the Vietnam war and the Cuban Missile Crisis, has died aged 93.
Mr McNamara, who served under presidents John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson, was also an architect of the US policy of nuclear deterrence.Mr McNamara, who served under presidents John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson, was also an architect of the US policy of nuclear deterrence.
After leaving the Pentagon he became president of the World Bank.After leaving the Pentagon he became president of the World Bank.
His wife Diana said he had suffered failing health for some time and died in his sleep at home in Washington DC.His wife Diana said he had suffered failing health for some time and died in his sleep at home in Washington DC.
Before taking up the post as Pentagon chief in 1961, Mr McNamara was the president of Ford Motor Company, turning the company around in the post World War II era.Before taking up the post as Pentagon chief in 1961, Mr McNamara was the president of Ford Motor Company, turning the company around in the post World War II era.
He is most closely associated with overseeing the involvement of the US in Vietnam from 1961 to 1968.He is most closely associated with overseeing the involvement of the US in Vietnam from 1961 to 1968.
Robert McNamara 1916: Born in San Francisco1946: Hired by Ford Motor Company1961: Appointed US defence secretary1968: Became President of the World Bank1981: Retired Obituary: Robert McNamaraRobert McNamara 1916: Born in San Francisco1946: Hired by Ford Motor Company1961: Appointed US defence secretary1968: Became President of the World Bank1981: Retired Obituary: Robert McNamara
Mr McNamara became to many anti-war critics the symbol of a failed policy that left more than 58,000 US troops dead.Mr McNamara became to many anti-war critics the symbol of a failed policy that left more than 58,000 US troops dead.
Even his son, as a Stanford University student, took part in protests against the war while his father was running it.Even his son, as a Stanford University student, took part in protests against the war while his father was running it.
However, in his 1995 memoirs In Retrospect: The Tragedies and Lessons of Vietnam, Mr McNamara wrote of his regret over his Vietnam role.However, in his 1995 memoirs In Retrospect: The Tragedies and Lessons of Vietnam, Mr McNamara wrote of his regret over his Vietnam role.
He described the war as "terribly wrong" owing to a combination of the anti-communist climate of the times, mistaken assumptions of foreign policy and military misjudgements.He described the war as "terribly wrong" owing to a combination of the anti-communist climate of the times, mistaken assumptions of foreign policy and military misjudgements.
He spoke frankly about the Vietnam war and the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 2003 documentary "The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara."He spoke frankly about the Vietnam war and the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 2003 documentary "The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara."
With the US in the first year of the war in Iraq, it became a popular and timely attraction and won an Oscar for best documentary feature.With the US in the first year of the war in Iraq, it became a popular and timely attraction and won an Oscar for best documentary feature.
As president of the World Bank, Mr McNamara devoted great energy into improving life in rural communities in developing countries. In 1967 Mr McNamara criticised the decision to bomb North Vietnam in retaliation for strikes on US bases in the south.
President Johnson decided to remove him the following year, offering him the presidency of the World Bank. When he left office he was the longest-serving US defence secretary.
In his new role, Mr McNamara devoted great energy to improving life in rural communities in developing countries.
He believed it was a more promising path to peace than the build-up of arms and armies.He believed it was a more promising path to peace than the build-up of arms and armies.
After retiring in 1981, he championed the cause of nuclear disarmament.After retiring in 1981, he championed the cause of nuclear disarmament.