Thomas S. Gates Jr.
April 10, 1906 – March 25, 1983
Thomas Sovereign Gates Jr. (1906–1983) was an American politician and diplomat who served as Secretary of Defense from 1959 to 1961 and Secretary of the Navy from 1957 to 1959, both under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his tenure as Secretary of Defense he established a task force to set nuclear target priorities and authorized U-2 reconnaissance flights, including the flight of Francis Gary Powers. Later in his career he served as chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing, appointed by President Gerald Ford.
Offices held
Dec 2, 1959 – Jan 20, 1961
Preceded by
Neil H. McElroy Succeeded by
Robert McNamara
Neil H. McElroy Succeeded by
Robert McNamara
