James Peake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Peake
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Peake in 2007
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| 6th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office December 20, 2007 – January 20, 2009 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Deputy | Gordon H. Mansfield |
| Preceded by | Jim Nicholson |
| Succeeded by | Eric Shinseki |
| 40th Surgeon General of the United States Army | |
| In office September 22, 2000 – July 8, 2004 |
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| President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Ronald R. Blanck |
| Succeeded by | Kevin C. Kiley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 18, 1944 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Cornell University (MD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966–2004 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Unit | Medical Corps |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal Joint Services Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Combat Infantryman Badge Navy Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award Senior Parachutist Badge Pathfinder Badge Combat Medical Badge Army Staff Identification Badge |
James Benjamin Peake (born June 18, 1944) is an important American leader. He served as the sixth United States secretary of veterans affairs from 2007 to 2009. Before that, he had a long and successful career in the United States Army. He retired from the Army in 2004 after 38 years of service. He also held the important role of the 40th Surgeon General of the United States Army.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Family
James Peake was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in a military family. His father was an Army officer in the Medical Corps. His mother was an Army nurse. His brother was a pilot in the Navy. This background helped shape his own path.
Military Service and Education
At 18, James Peake began his own Army career. He was accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In 1966, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He then became a second lieutenant in the Army Infantry.
After West Point, Peake served in the Vietnam War with the 101st Airborne Division. He showed great bravery there. He received several awards, including the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is given to soldiers wounded in battle.
After his time in Vietnam, Peake decided to become a doctor. He went to medical school at Cornell University in New York. He earned his medical degree in 1972. He continued to serve in the Army as a doctor.
Peake held many important medical leadership roles in the Army. He was the Surgeon General of the United States Army for four years. This role made him the top doctor for the entire Army. He also commanded several Army medical units. He retired from the Army in 2004 as a lieutenant general.
Awards and Honors
James Peake received many awards for his service. These include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. He also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge. These badges show he served in combat as both an infantry soldier and a medic. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 2009.
Life After the Military
After leaving the Army, Peake continued to work in healthcare. He became an Executive Vice President at Project HOPE. This is a non-profit group that helps people with health needs around the world. He helped organize volunteers to assist after the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia. He also helped with the response to Hurricane Katrina in the United States.
Later, he worked as a Chief Medical Officer for QTC. This company provides health and disability exams for the government. In 2009, he joined CGI Group Inc., a large technology and business services company, as a Senior Vice-President for the Health Industry.
Serving Veterans as Secretary
On October 30, 2007, James Peake was chosen to be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This job involves leading the department that helps military veterans. The United States Senate approved his selection on December 14, 2007. He was officially sworn in on December 20, 2007. He served in this role until January 20, 2009.
See also
- Biography- George W. Bush White House Archives
