Paul Ignatius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Ignatius
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| 59th United States Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office September 1, 1967 – January 24, 1969 |
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| President | Lyndon B. Johnson Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Charles F. Baird (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | John Chafee |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Paul Robert Ignatius
November 11, 1920 Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Nancy Sharpless Weiser
(m. 1947; died 2019) |
| Children | 4, including David and Adi |
| Education | |
Paul Robert Ignatius was born on November 11, 1920. He is an American government official who has held many important jobs. He served as the top leader of the United States Navy, called the Secretary of the Navy, from 1967 to 1969. He also worked as an Assistant Secretary of Defense when Lyndon B. Johnson was president. Paul Ignatius is currently the oldest living former U.S. government official.
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Early Life and Career
Paul Ignatius was born in 1920 in Glendale, California. His parents were from Armenia and moved to the United States. Their names were Elisa and Hovsep "Joseph" B. Ignatius. His family came from a historic Armenian town called Agin.
Paul Ignatius has held many important roles throughout his career. He was the president of The Washington Post newspaper. He also worked as the Secretary of the Navy. Before that, he was an Assistant Secretary of Defense and an Under Secretary of the Army.
He also helped start a company called Harbridge House, Inc. This company was a business that helped other companies with their management.
Education and Military Service
Paul Ignatius studied at the University of Southern California, where he earned his first degree. He then went to Harvard Business School and earned a master's degree in business.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a lieutenant and worked on an aircraft carrier called the USS Manila Bay. He helped with aviation weapons on the ship while it was in the Pacific Ocean.
While he was the Secretary of the Navy, Paul Ignatius gave the Medal of Honor to Captain William Loren McGonagle. This medal is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. Captain McGonagle received it for his heroic actions during the 1967 USS Liberty incident.
Usually, the President of the United States gives the Medal of Honor in a public ceremony at the White House. However, Captain McGonagle received his medal at the Washington Navy Yard instead. This was the only time this has happened in history.
Family Life
Paul Ignatius married Nancy Weiser Sharpless in 1947. They had four children together. Their sons, David Ignatius and Adi Ignatius, are well-known. David is a writer for The Washington Post and a novelist. Adi is the editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review.
Their two daughters, Sarah and Amy, both became lawyers. Amy Ignatius is now a judge in New Hampshire. Sarah Ignatius has worked for many years as a leader for non-profit organizations.
Paul Ignatius turned 100 years old on November 11, 2020. He lives in Washington D.C..
Legacy and Recognition
The U.S. Navy honored Paul Ignatius by naming a ship after him. On May 23, 2013, they announced that a new destroyer ship would be called the USS Paul Ignatius (DDG-117). This ship was officially put into service on July 27, 2019, in Florida.
