John Chafee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Chafee
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| United States Senator from Rhode Island |
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| In office December 29, 1976 – October 24, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | John Pastore |
| Succeeded by | Lincoln Chafee |
| Chair of the Senate Environment Committee | |
| In office January 4, 1995 – October 24, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Max Baucus |
| Succeeded by | Bob Smith |
| 60th United States Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office January 31, 1969 – May 4, 1972 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Paul Ignatius |
| Succeeded by | John Warner |
| 66th Governor of Rhode Island | |
| In office January 1, 1963 – January 7, 1969 |
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| Lieutenant | Edward P. Gallogly Giovanni Folcarelli Joseph O'Donnell |
| Preceded by | John Notte |
| Succeeded by | Frank Licht |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Lester Hubbard Chafee
October 22, 1922 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Died | October 24, 1999 (aged 77) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Virginia Coates |
| Children | 6, including Lincoln |
| Education | Yale University (BA) Harvard University (LLB) |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 1951–1953 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Battles/wars | |
John Lester Hubbard Chafee (October 22, 1922 – October 24, 1999) was an American politician and a brave officer in the United States Marine Corps. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served as the 66th Governor of Rhode Island, as the Secretary of the Navy, and as a United States Senator.
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Early Life and Family History
John Chafee was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He came from a family that was very involved in politics. His great-grandfather, Henry Lippitt, was also a governor of Rhode Island. Other relatives, like his great-uncles and cousins, were also important figures in government and law.
John went to school in Providence, graduating from Gordon School in 1931 and Providence Country Day School. In 1940, he finished high school at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. He had six children, including his son Lincoln Chafee, who later became a governor and senator himself.
Serving in the Marine Corps
John Chafee was studying at Yale University when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He paused his studies and joined the Marines. He fought bravely in World War II on the island of Guadalcanal when he was only 20 years old. Later, as a second lieutenant, he also fought in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
After the war, he earned degrees from Yale University in 1947 and Harvard Law School in 1950. In 1951, he was called back to serve as a Marine company commander during the Korean War. A writer named James Brady, who served under Chafee, said he was "the only truly great man I've yet met in my life."
John Chafee received several military awards for his service. These include the Presidential Unit Citation three times, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Korean Service Medal.
Starting His Political Journey
In the early 1950s, Chafee began working behind the scenes in Rhode Island politics. He helped elect a mayor for Providence. In 1956, he successfully ran for a seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 1958 and 1960.
Leading as Governor of Rhode Island
In 1962, John Chafee was elected governor. He won by a very small number of votes. However, he quickly became popular with people from both major political parties. This helped him win by much larger margins in 1964 and 1966.
As governor, Chafee helped create the state's public transportation system. He also started the "Green Acres" program, which focused on protecting natural lands. He served as governor until 1969. He lost his re-election bid, partly because he changed his stance on an income tax, and also because a personal tragedy affected his campaign.
In 1969, President Richard Nixon appointed John Chafee as Secretary of the Navy. In this role, he was known for making bold decisions. For example, he chose Admiral Elmo Zumwalt to be the top naval officer, even though 33 other officers had more experience.
He also handled the situation with the USS Pueblo wisely. This was a navy intelligence ship captured by North Korea. Chafee decided not to court martial (put on trial) the ship's commander, Commander Lloyd Bucher. Chafee felt that Bucher and his crew had "suffered enough" and that a trial would be unfair. He served as Secretary of the Navy until 1972.
Becoming a United States Senator
After an unsuccessful attempt in 1972, Chafee was elected to the United States Senate in 1976. He was the first Republican from Rhode Island to win a Senate election since 1930. He joined the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in 1977. He made environmental protection a main focus of his work. He often disagreed with his own party to support conservation efforts. He led this committee from 1995 to 1999.
Chafee helped create important laws like the Clean Water Act of 1986 and the 1990 updates to the Clean Air Act. He also helped create the "Superfund program" in 1980 to clean up dangerous waste sites. He wrote the Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982, which created protected coastal areas. After his death, this system was renamed the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System in his honor.
Senator Chafee had moderate views on many issues. He supported the North American Free Trade Agreement. He was against the death penalty and school prayer. He was also one of the few Republicans who supported strict gun control laws. He voted for the bill that made Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, Chafee worked to improve the U.S. health care system. He supported expanding health coverage for children and pregnant women. He also worked to help young people leaving foster care become independent. This program is now called the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.
Chafee also served on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He led the Senate Republican Conference from 1985 to 1990. In 1999, he voted against the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. He announced he would retire from the Senate in March 1999.
In October 1999, shortly before he passed away, Chafee was one of four Republican senators to vote for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. This treaty aimed to stop underground nuclear testing. His last major action was helping to create the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century.
His Passing
John Chafee died on October 24, 1999, from heart failure. This was just two days after his 77th birthday. President Clinton praised him, saying he was a leader who brought people together. His son, Lincoln Chafee, took his place in the Senate.
Lasting Legacy
Many things have been named in John Chafee's honor:
- The USS Chafee (DDG-90), a Navy ship.
- The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, a protected historical area.
- The John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge, a place for wildlife.
- The World Trade Center at Bryant University in Rhode Island.
- The Chafee Social Science Center at the University of Rhode Island, which is the tallest building in southern Rhode Island.
- The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, which helps young people leaving foster care.
Awards and Honors
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (awarded after his death) (2000)
- Navy Presidential Unit Citation (three awards)
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War Two Victory Medal
- Korean Service Medal
- Audubon Medal from the National Audubon Society
- A bronze statue of John Chafee was placed in Colt State Park in 2003.
Images for kids
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John Chafee's official portrait as Governor
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Statue of John Chafee in Colt State Park
