Max Cleland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Max Cleland
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| Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission | |
| In office June 3, 2009 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | John W. Nicholson |
| Succeeded by | William M. Matz Jr. |
| United States Senator from Georgia |
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| In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Sam Nunn |
| Succeeded by | Saxby Chambliss |
| 23rd Secretary of State of Georgia | |
| In office January 11, 1983 – January 5, 1996 |
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| Governor | Joe Frank Harris Zell Miller |
| Preceded by | David Poythress |
| Succeeded by | Lewis A. Massey |
| 10th Administrator of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Richard L. Roudebush |
| Succeeded by | Bob Nimmo |
| Member of the Georgia Senate from the 55th district |
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| In office January 11, 1971 – January 13, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Reeder |
| Succeeded by | Bud Stumbaugh |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Maxwell Cleland
August 24, 1942 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | November 9, 2021 (aged 79) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1965–1968 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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Joseph Maxwell Cleland (born August 24, 1942 – died November 9, 2021) was an American politician from Georgia. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Max Cleland was a disabled veteran of the U.S. Army who served in the Vietnam War. He received important military awards, including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star, for his brave actions in combat. Later, he became a United States Senator for Georgia from 1997 to 2003.
After the Vietnam War, where he lost three limbs, he quickly entered politics. From 1971 to 1975, he served as a Georgia State Senator. He also worked as the Administrator of Veterans Affairs under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. From 1982 to 1996, he was the Georgia Secretary of State. After leaving the Senate in 2003, he served on the board of directors for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. From 2009 to 2017, he was the Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.
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Max Cleland's Early Life and Military Service
Max Cleland was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 24, 1942. He grew up in Lithonia, Georgia. He went to Stetson University and graduated in 1964. He then earned a master's degree from Emory University in Georgia.
After college, Cleland joined the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. He became a captain. He was recognized for his bravery in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh in April 1968. He received the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for his actions.
How Did Max Cleland Get Injured in Vietnam?
In 1968, Captain Cleland was a signal officer with the 1st Cavalry Division during the Battle of Khe Sanh. On April 8, with only a month left in his tour, he was sent to set up a radio station on a hill. When his helicopter landed, he jumped out. He reached down to pick up a grenade he thought had fallen from his vest. The grenade exploded, severely injuring both his legs and one arm.
A U.S. Marine nearby, David Lloyd, quickly helped him. He used his belt to stop the bleeding from Cleland's leg. Max Cleland was 25 years old at the time. Because of his severe injuries, doctors had to remove both of his legs above the knee and his right forearm.
Max Cleland's Political Career in Georgia
From 1971 to 1975, Cleland served in the Georgia Senate. He became a strong supporter of issues important to veterans. From 1977 to 1981, he led the United States Veterans Administration under President Jimmy Carter.
After that, he served for 14 years as the Secretary of State of Georgia, from 1982 to 1996. In this role, he helped create a "penny stock" law in Georgia. This law later became a model for national rules to stop unfair stock trading. In 1977, Cleland received an award for his great public service as a young person.
Max Cleland's Time in the U.S. Senate (1997–2003)
What Did Max Cleland Do as a Senator?
After Senator Sam Nunn retired, Max Cleland ran for the U.S. Senate in 1996. He won the election by a small number of votes against Republican Guy Millner.
In the Senate, Cleland was seen as a moderate. This means he often took middle-ground positions. He supported some Republican budget plans and voted for tax cuts in 2001. However, he was also very supportive of protecting the environment. For example, he voted against drilling for oil in a wildlife refuge.
His views on national defense and homeland security were also balanced. He supported making airport security a federal responsibility after the 9/11 attacks. He also supported the "war on terror." Cleland was a strong supporter of free trade. He voted to improve trade relations with Vietnam and China.
Cleland was one of 29 Democratic senators who voted to allow military action in Iraq. He later said he had doubts about the Bush administration's reasons for war. He felt pressure to vote for it because he was in a close election race. In 2005, he called his vote for war "the worst vote I cast."
Max Cleland's 2002 Election and Later Career
In 2002, Max Cleland ran for re-election against Saxby Chambliss. Early in the race, Cleland was ahead in the polls. However, his lead decreased closer to the election.
A week before the election, polls showed Cleland still slightly ahead. But on election day, he lost to Chambliss. Some of Cleland's supporters believed a TV ad from Chambliss hurt his campaign. The ad showed images of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. It criticized Cleland's votes against certain homeland security measures. Cleland had voted against creating the Department of Homeland Security because it included a rule that limited the rights of union workers. Cleland's supporters felt the ad questioned his loyalty to the country. However, Chambliss's supporters said it only questioned his judgment. The ad was later removed after protests from other politicians, including Republicans who were also Vietnam veterans.
What Did Max Cleland Do After the Senate?
After leaving the Senate, Max Cleland was first chosen to be part of the 9/11 Commission. This group investigated the September 11th attacks. However, he resigned shortly after to join the board of directors for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Before he left the 9/11 Commission, he said that the Bush administration was making it difficult for the committee to get important documents and talk to witnesses.
In 2003, Cleland started working for the 2004 presidential campaign of Senator John Kerry. Kerry was also a Vietnam veteran. Cleland often appeared with Kerry at events and was seen as a very important supporter.
Max Cleland's official papers from his time as a Senator are kept at the University of Georgia. His papers from the Veterans Administration are at the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum. In 2007, he gave a large collection of items from his time in Vietnam and his political career to Stetson University, his old college.
On May 21, 2009, President Barack Obama chose Cleland to be the next Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He started this job on June 3 and served until the end of Obama's second term as president.
Max Cleland passed away from heart failure at his home in Atlanta on November 9, 2021. He was 79 years old.
Max Cleland's Awards and Books
In 2001, Max Cleland received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Oglethorpe University.
He also wrote several books:
- Heart of a Patriot: How I Found The Courage To Survive Vietnam, Walter Reed, and Karl Rove (2009)
- Odysseus in America (2002)
- Strong at the Broken Places (2000)
- Going for the Max!: 12 Principles for Living Life to the Fullest (2000)
- Controlled Substances Laws of Georgia: Code Title 16-13 (1992)
Images for kids
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Max Cleland at the 2008 Georgia Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.
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