Where is rumsfeld today

But the intensity of the emotions surrounding his demise may make people forget that, at one time, he was an almost universally respected and admired leader who simply stayed too long. He was pugnacious, witty, charming in person, and decisive as an executive.

He sought to fight Pentagon waste and inefficiency, and promote a strategic vision termed "Defense Transformation," making the military more networked, adaptable, expeditionary, and lethal.

But it seemed like the old ways of doing things would outlast Rumsfeld. His private sector experience as a corporate downsizer was less relevant in the public sector with employees he could not fire, assets he could not sell, and a dysfunctional board of directors Congress.

By the end of summer , some had already declared his effort a failure, and there was a rumored betting pool at the Pentagon on the date he would resign. Americans were rallying around the national effort led by President George W. Bush to annihilate the al-Qaida terror network and its allies. The Sept. The opening months of the campaign in Afghanistan were magnificent. American forces, alongside coalition partners and especially indigenous Afghan resistance fighters, quickly routed the Taliban forces, drove them from power, and severely crippled al-Qaida.

The subsequent stability-building efforts worked so well that by Rep. Rapid success in Afghanistan made the year-old Rumsfeld a national institution. Compare to today — how many people even know who the secretary of Defense is? But fame gives and fame takes away. Since Sept. That occasion came in March The U. At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico," the statement said. The Associated Press reported that he died on Tuesday after a battle with multiple myeloma, a type of cancer.

Bush from to , serving as both the youngest and second-oldest person to hold the position. Bush praised Rumsfeld in a statement, calling him "a man of intelligence, integrity, and almost inexhaustible energy. He brought needed and timely reforms to the Department of Defense, along with a management style that stressed original thinking and accountability," Bush said.

He was a faithful steward of our armed forces, and the United States of America is safer and better off for his service. We will miss him. Current Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hailed his predecessor's "singular distinction" of having held two terms in office in two different administrations, and "his boundless energy, probing intellect, and abiding commitment to serve his country. Johnson's "Great Society" programs. Rumsfeld is kissed by his wife, Joyce, after he was sworn in as director of the Office of Economic Opportunity in President Richard Nixon is holding their 2-year-old son, Nicholas.

Rumsfeld pumps his fist while working in the White House Oval Office in Rumsfeld was White House chief of staff before becoming President Gerald Ford's secretary of defense in Rumsfeld speaks with Ford in the Oval Office circa Ford and Rumsfeld review a line of troops on the Pentagon lawn in Rumsfeld, at 43 years old, was the youngest defense secretary in US history when he took the position.

Rumsfeld, speaking at a California Air Force base in April , describes the B-1 bomber he had just personally flew. Before entering politics, Rumsfeld served in the US Navy as a naval aviator and flight instructor. Rumsfeld smoke a pipe while sitting in Ford's suite during the Republican National Convention in Rumsfeld, standing at center in the light-gray suit, poses with President Ronald Reagan, the President's Commission on Strategic Forces and the special counselors to the commission in President George W.

Rumsfeld was beginning his second stint as secretary of defense. He and Powell were often at odds on US foreign policy. Rumsfeld, left, joins Bush as they visit the Pentagon following the terrorist attacks on September 11, Rumsfeld talks to staff members aboard a plane en route to Saudi Arabia in October Rumsfeld said that the Taliban and al Qaeda prisoners being held at the base would not be given prisoner-of-war status.

Rumsfeld briefs reporters at the Pentagon in April The Iraq War began a month earlier. Rumsfeld puts on a bulletproof jacket while visiting Baghdad, Iraq, in April Rumsfeld signs a Baghdad road sign at the request of a US soldier in April Rumsfeld is briefed by British Major Gen. Rumsfeld briefs reporters at the Pentagon in May Rumsfeld said he condemned the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers as "totally unacceptable and un-American,'' and he said the Defense Department would move vigorously to bring those responsible to justice.

Bush defeated John Kerry to win re-election. Rumsfeld motions to an aide to display a chart detailing production of armored Humvees as he is questioned during his testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee in February He traveled to China for meetings with military and civilian leaders.

Rumsfeld told reporters that the United States was not going to abandon Afghanistan. Rumsfeld is escorted by Joanna Hanley, superintendent of the Flight 93 Memorial, as he looks at tributes in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in March Rumsfeld listens as Bush speaks to reporters at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, in June Peter Pace for a Pentagon ceremony in December