Thomas S. Gates Jr.

Thomas S. Gates Jr.
3rd Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing
In office
May 6, 1976 – May 8, 1977
PresidentGerald Ford
Jimmy Carter
Preceded byGeorge H. W. Bush
Succeeded byLeonard Woodcock
7th United States Secretary of Defense
In office
December 2, 1959 – January 20, 1961
PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower
DeputyJames H. Douglas Jr.
Preceded byNeil H. McElroy
Succeeded byRobert McNamara
8th United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
In office
June 8, 1959 – December 1, 1959
PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded byDonald A. Quarles
Succeeded byJames H. Douglas Jr.
54th United States Secretary of the Navy
In office
April 1, 1957 – June 8, 1959
PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower
DeputyWilliam B. Franke
Preceded byCharles Thomas
Succeeded byWilliam B. Franke
9th United States Under Secretary of the Navy
In office
October 7, 1953 – April 1, 1957
PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded byCharles Thomas
Succeeded byWilliam B. Franke
Personal details
Born
Thomas Sovereign Gates Jr.

(1906-04-10)April 10, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 25, 1983(1983-03-25) (aged 76)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMillicent Brengle
Children4
RelativesThomas Sovereign Gates (father)
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania (BA)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
RankLieutenant Commander
Battles/warsWorld War II

Thomas Sovereign Gates Jr. (April 10, 1906 – March 25, 1983) was an American politician and diplomat who served as Secretary of Defense from 1959 to 1961 and Secretary of the Navy from 1957 to 1959, both under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.[1] During his tenure as Secretary of Defense, he established a task force to set nuclear target priorities. He also authorized U-2 reconnaissance flights, including the flight of Francis Gary Powers.

Later in his career, he served as the Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing, appointed by President Gerald Ford.

  1. ^ "Thomas S. Gates, Jr. - Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense - Historical Office.