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 of America |
| 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 American doctor and former military leader. He served as the sixth United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2007 to 2009. Before that, he had a long 38-year career in the United States Army. He also held the important role of the 40th Surgeon General of the United States Army.
Contents
About James Peake
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. Even his brother was a naval aviator, flying planes for the Navy.
Military Career and Education
When he was 18, James Peake began his own Army journey. He was accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In 1966, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree and became a second lieutenant in the Army Infantry.
After graduating, Peake served in the Vietnam War. He showed great bravery there and received several awards. These included the Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is given to soldiers who are wounded in battle.
After his service 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 his military career as a doctor. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a lieutenant general. In 2004, he retired from the Army after 38 years of service.
Key Roles in the Army
One of his most important roles was serving as the Surgeon General of the United States Army. This means he was the top doctor for the entire Army for four years. He also commanded several Army medical units in different places.
Some of his other important jobs included:
- Leading the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School.
- Being the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command.
- Commanding the Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington.
- Leading the 44th Medical Brigade.
- Serving as a commander in Seoul, Korea.
- Working as a surgeon at various Army hospitals.
Awards and Honors
James Peake received many awards for his long and brave service in the Army. Some of his top honors include:
- The Distinguished Service Medal
- The Silver Star
- The Defense Superior Service Medal
- The Legion of Merit
- The Bronze Star
- The Purple Heart
- The Meritorious Service Medal
- The Air Medal
He also earned special badges like the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge. These show he was involved in combat as both an infantry soldier and a medic. He also has the Senior Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge, showing his skills in airborne operations.
After the Military
After retiring from the Army, James Peake continued to work in healthcare. He became an important leader at Project HOPE. This is a non-profit group that helps improve health around the world. While there, he helped organize doctors and nurses to assist people after big disasters. This included the tsunami in Indonesia and Hurricane Katrina in the U.S.
Before becoming Secretary of Veterans Affairs, he worked for QTC. This company provides health and disability exams for the government.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
In 2007, President George W. Bush chose James Peake to be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This is a very important job. The Secretary leads the department that helps military veterans and their families. This includes providing healthcare, benefits, and support.
The United States Senate approved his nomination in December 2007. He was sworn into office by Vice President Dick Cheney. He served in this role until January 2009.
In 2009, James Peake was honored by being inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.
See also
- Biography- George W. Bush White House Archives
