Robert McFarlane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bud McFarlane
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| 13th National Security Advisor | |
| In office October 17, 1983 – December 4, 1985 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | William Clark |
| Succeeded by | John Poindexter |
| 12th Deputy National Security Advisor | |
| In office April 4, 1982 – October 17, 1983 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | James Nance |
| Succeeded by | John Poindexter |
| Counselor of the Department of State | |
| In office February 28, 1981 – April 4, 1982 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Rozanne L. Ridgway |
| Succeeded by | James L. Buckley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Carl McFarlane
July 12, 1937 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | May 12, 2022 (aged 84) Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jonda Riley |
| Education |
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| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1959–1979 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |
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Robert Carl "Bud" McFarlane (July 12, 1937 – May 12, 2022) was an American Marine Corps officer. He is best known for serving as the National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan. This important role involved advising the president on national security and foreign policy.
After his military career, McFarlane joined the Reagan administration. He helped create the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a plan to protect the United States from missile attacks. He was also involved in the Iran–Contra affair, a political event that caused a lot of discussion. Later, President George H. W. Bush gave him a pardon.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert McFarlane was born in Washington, D.C., on July 12, 1937. His father, William McFarlane, was a Congressman from Texas. After finishing high school, Bud McFarlane attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He started there in 1955 and graduated in 1959.
He was the third person in his family to attend the Naval Academy. His uncle and brother had also studied there. At the academy, he was a very good student, graduating in the top 15% of his class. He also played gymnastics and earned awards for his athletic skills. In 2014, he received an honorary doctorate degree. He married his high school sweetheart, Jonda Riley.
Marine Corps Service
After graduating from the Naval Academy in 1959, McFarlane became a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He worked as a field artillery officer, which means he was in charge of large guns used in combat.
During his time in the Marines, McFarlane led different groups of soldiers. He commanded artillery batteries and was an Operations Officer for an artillery regiment. He also taught gunnery, which is the science of using guns. From 1968 to 1971, he helped prepare the Marine Corps' Operations Deputy for meetings with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
McFarlane served two tours in the Vietnam War. In March 1965, he commanded an artillery battery during the first landing of U.S. combat forces in Vietnam. While there, he was chosen for a special program called the Olmsted Scholar. This allowed him to study abroad. He earned a master's degree in strategic studies from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland.
After his studies, McFarlane returned to Vietnam for his second tour in 1967–1968. He worked with the 3rd Marine Division during the Tet Offensive. He helped coordinate all the fire support, including B-52s (large bombers), naval gunfire from the USS New Jersey, and artillery. He received a Bronze Star and a Navy Commendation Medal for his bravery.
In 1971, McFarlane was chosen as a White House Fellow. He was the first Marine Corps officer to receive this honor. He worked in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. Later, he became the Military Assistant to Henry Kissinger at the National Security Council. In this role, he shared important intelligence with China and worked on foreign policy issues. President Gerald Ford appointed him as his Special Assistant for National Security Affairs. He received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal in 1976.
McFarlane retired from the Marine Corps in 1979 as a lieutenant colonel.
Civilian Roles and National Security
After leaving the Marines, McFarlane continued his career in public service. In 1979, he joined the staff of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. He helped with discussions about the SALT II Treaty. He also helped write Ronald Reagan's foreign policy plans for the 1980 presidential campaign.
In 1981, President Reagan appointed McFarlane as Counselor at the Department of State. He worked closely with Secretary of State Alexander Haig. The next year, Reagan made him the Deputy National Security Advisor. In this role, he helped combine policy ideas from different government departments. In 1983, he became the President's Special Representative in the Middle East. He worked on peace talks between Israel and Arab nations.
McFarlane was later appointed President Reagan's United States National Security Advisor. This was a very important job where he helped shape U.S. foreign and defense policy. He strongly supported the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as "Star Wars." This project aimed to develop technology to defend against missile attacks.
The Iran-Contra Affair
The Iran–Contra affair was a major political event during the Reagan administration. It involved secretly selling weapons to Iran. The money from these sales was then used to support a group called the Contras in Nicaragua. As National Security Advisor, McFarlane encouraged President Reagan to negotiate the arms deal. However, he later advised Reagan to stop the shipments.
McFarlane resigned from his position on December 4, 1985. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family. The Iran-Contra affair became public in November 1986, leading to a big political scandal. McFarlane faced legal issues related to the affair. In 1988, he admitted to four minor offenses for not sharing information with Congress. He was given two years of probation and a fine. However, President George H. W. Bush later gave him a pardon on Christmas Eve in 1992.
Other Activities and Later Life
After his time in government, Robert McFarlane co-founded an international consulting company called McFarlane Associates Inc. He also helped start IP3 International, a group that wanted to build nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia. He wrote articles and advised on Middle East energy plans.
McFarlane was a member of several important groups and boards. These included the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the Partnership for a Secure America. He also advised John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.
From 2009 onwards, McFarlane worked on projects in Sudan and Darfur. He focused on improving relations between different tribes and helping with development. His work there was supported by the government of Qatar. His activities in Sudan were reviewed by the FBI, but no criminal charges were filed.
In July 2011, McFarlane co-founded the United States Energy Security Council with former CIA director Jim Woolsey. This council focused on energy security for the U.S.
Death
Robert McFarlane passed away on May 12, 2022, at the age of 84. He died in a hospital in Lansing, Michigan, due to complications from a lung condition. He lived in Washington, D.C., but was visiting family in Michigan at the time.
Awards and Decorations
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal |
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Bronze Star with Valor device |
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Meritorious Service Medal |
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Navy Commendation Medal with Valor device |
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Army Commendation Medal |
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Combat Action Ribbon |
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Secretary of State Distinguished Service Award |
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Secretary of the Navy Medal for Distinguished Public Service |
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Presidential Service Badge |
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Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement (1979) |
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American-Swiss Friendship "Man of the Year" Award (1985) |
Images for kids
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McFarlane in 1994
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McFarlane in 2011
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