Ed Derwinski

Ed Derwinski
1st United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
In office
March 15, 1989 – September 26, 1992
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJesse Brown
Administrator of Veterans Affairs
In office
January 21, 1989 – March 15, 1989
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byThomas Turnage
Succeeded byPosition abolished
8th Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs
In office
March 24, 1987 – January 21, 1989
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byWilliam Schneider
Succeeded byReginald Bartholomew
22nd Counselor of the United States Department of State
In office
March 23, 1983 – March 24, 1987
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byJames L. Buckley
Succeeded byMax Kampelman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 4th district
In office
January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1983
Preceded byWilliam E. McVey
Succeeded byGeorge M. O'Brien
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
January 1957 – January 3, 1959
Personal details
BornEdward Joseph Derwinski
(1926-09-15)September 15, 1926
DiedJanuary 15, 2012(2012-01-15) (aged 85)
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
PartyRepublican
Spouse(s)Patricia van der Giessen
Bonnie Hickey
Children2
EducationLoyola University, Chicago (BS)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1944–1946
UnitInfantry
Battles/warsWorld War II
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Edward Joseph Derwinski (September 15, 1926 – January 15, 2012) was an American politician who served as the first Cabinet-level United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, serving under President George H. W. Bush from March 15, 1989 to September 26, 1992. He previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1983, representing south and southwest suburbs of Chicago.