Togo D. West Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Togo West
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| 3rd United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office May 4, 1998 – July 25, 2000 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Jesse Brown |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Principi |
| 16th United States Secretary of the Army | |
| In office November 22, 1993 – May 4, 1998 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Gordon Sullivan (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Robert M. Walker (Acting) |
| General Counsel of the Department of Defense | |
| In office February 1, 1980 – January 20, 1981 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Deanne C. Siemer |
| Succeeded by | William Howard Taft IV |
| General Counsel of the Navy | |
| In office April 22, 1977 – January 13, 1979 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Grey Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Coleman Hicks |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Togo Dennis West Jr.
June 21, 1942 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | March 8, 2018 (aged 75) North Atlantic Ocean between Barbados and Puerto Rico |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Gail Berry |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Education | Howard University (BS, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1965–1973 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Judge Advocate General's Corps |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal Order of Military Merit |
Togo Dennis West Jr. (born June 21, 1942 – died March 8, 2018) was an American attorney and public official. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He became the third person to serve as the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Bill Clinton. He held this important job from 1998 until he resigned in 2000. Togo West was also the second African American to hold the position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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Togo West's Early Life and Education
Togo West was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As a young person, he was very active in the Boy Scouts of America. He earned the highest rank, becoming an Eagle Scout. This is a special achievement for Boy Scouts.
He went to Atkins High School (North Carolina), where both of his parents were teachers. Togo West was a brilliant student. He graduated in June 1960 as the valedictorian, which means he was the top student in his class.
After high school, he attended Howard University. In 1965, he earned a degree in electrical engineering. He then continued his studies at the Howard University School of Law. In 1968, he received his law degree. He graduated with cum laude honors, meaning "with praise," and was again the top student in his class.
While at Howard University, he was part of two fraternities: Alpha Phi Omega and Omega Psi Phi. These are social and service organizations for college students.
Togo West's Early Career and Community Work
During his time in law school, Togo West was the managing editor for the Howard Law Journal. This meant he helped oversee the publication of legal articles. It was also around this time that he met Gail Berry, who later became his wife.
Togo West was a dedicated member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square. He served as a vestryman and a Senior Warden, which are leadership roles in the church.
He also continued his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the National Executive Board, which is the main governing body for the organization. For his important contributions to young people across America, he received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and the Silver Buffalo Award. He also served as the president of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Togo West's Military and Government Service
After finishing law school, Togo West joined the United States Army. He served in the Army Field Artillery Corps from 1965 to 1968. Later, he became an Army lawyer in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, serving from 1969 to 1973.
For his service in the military, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. These are important awards given for outstanding service.
After his military service, West worked as a lawyer in a private firm. He then began his career in government. He held several important jobs during President Jimmy Carter's administration:
- General Counsel of the Navy (1977–1979): This means he was the chief lawyer for the U.S. Navy.
- Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense (1979).
- General Counsel of the Department of Defense (1980–1981): He was the top lawyer for the entire Department of Defense.
In 1996, while serving as Secretary of the Army, Togo West received a special honor from the President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso. He was given the Grand-Officer of the Order of Military Merit.
Serving in the Clinton Administration
President Bill Clinton nominated Togo West for a new role on January 27, 1998. The Senate approved his nomination on May 4, 1998. He became the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This job involves overseeing programs and services for military veterans.
Before this, he had served as the United States Secretary of the Army from 1993 to 1998. This role means he was the civilian leader of the U.S. Army. For a few months in 1998, he held both jobs at the same time while waiting for his new role to be fully confirmed.
After Government Service
After leaving his government positions, Togo West continued to work as a lawyer. He also served on the boards of many different organizations. From 2004 to 2006, he was the president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. This group studies issues important to minority communities. He was also a strong supporter of the Mount Vernon preservation society, which cares for George Washington's historic home.
In 2010, Togo West helped lead an investigation for the Defense Department. This investigation looked into the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, a tragic event that happened at a military base.
Togo West passed away on March 8, 2018, at the age of 75. He died from a heart attack while on a cruise ship between Barbados and Puerto Rico. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, a special place where many military heroes and important public figures are laid to rest.
