William Bundy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Bundy
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William Bundy, 1968
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| 9th Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs | |
| In office March 16, 1964 – May 4, 1969 |
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| President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | Roger Hilsman |
| Succeeded by | Marshall Green |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Putnam Bundy
September 24, 1917 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | October 6, 2000 (aged 83) Princeton, New Jersey |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Acheson |
| Occupation | CIA analyst, attorney |
William Putnam Bundy (born September 24, 1917 – died October 6, 2000) was an American lawyer and expert in intelligence. He worked as an analyst for the CIA. Bundy was an important advisor on foreign policy to two United States presidents: John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
He played key roles in planning for the Vietnam War. Under President Kennedy, he worked with Paul Nitze at the Department of Defense. Later, under President Johnson, he became the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs.
After leaving government in 1969, Bundy became a historian of foreign policy. He taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Princeton University until his death. His book, A Tangled Web: The Making of Foreign Policy in the Nixon Presidency (1998), is seen as his most important work.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Bundy was born in 1917 in Boston, Massachusetts. His family had a long history in politics. His father, Harvey Hollister Bundy, worked for the government, helping with important matters like the Marshall Plan. William grew up in a very smart and successful family. His brother, McGeorge Bundy, was also a well-known figure in government.
William went to Groton School and Yale University. He then studied at Harvard Law School. During World War II, he joined the Army Signal Corps. In 1943, he led a team to Bletchley Park in the UK. This was a secret place where codes were broken. He found his time there to be very rewarding.
Career in Government
After finishing law school in 1947, Bundy joined a law firm in Washington. In the early 1950s, he was recruited to work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He worked as an analyst and a chief of staff.
In 1960, Bundy took a break from the CIA. He worked for President Eisenhower's Commission on National Goals. During President Kennedy's time, he was a deputy to the Assistant Secretary of Defense. He later became the Assistant Secretary in 1963.
During much of President LBJ's time in office, Bundy was the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs. He continued to advise on the Vietnam War even after President Richard M. Nixon was elected. He resigned from government in 1969.
Later Years and Legacy
After leaving government, Bundy moved into teaching. He taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1972, he moved to Princeton University, where he was a professor for the rest of his life. He also edited an important journal called Foreign Affairs from 1972 to 1984.
His brother, McGeorge Bundy, also worked in government. He was the National Security Advisor to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. William Bundy was known for having slightly different political views than his brother. He was also seen as one of the more peaceful advisors regarding the Vietnam War.
In 1989, he spoke about the difficult decisions made by presidents. He said the Vietnam War was "a tragedy waiting to happen." He felt that many mistakes were made, and he had played a part in some of them.
Bundy's most famous book is A Tangled Web: The Making of Foreign Policy in the Nixon Presidency (1998). His writings and papers are kept at the Seeley G. Mudd Library at Princeton University.
Family and Passing
William Bundy married Mary Acheson. She was the daughter of Dean Acheson, who was the Secretary of State for President Harry S. Truman. William and Mary had three children: Michael, Christopher, and Carol.
William Putnam Bundy passed away on October 6, 2000. He was 83 years old and died from heart trouble at his home in Princeton, New Jersey.
See also
- NSC Working Group on South Vietnam
