Max Cleland
Max Cleland | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission | |
| In office June 3, 2009 – January 20, 2017 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | John W. Nicholson |
| Succeeded by | William M. Matz Jr. |
| United States Senator from Georgia | |
| In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Sam Nunn |
| Succeeded by | Saxby Chambliss |
| 23rd Secretary of State of Georgia | |
| In office January 11, 1983 – January 5, 1996 | |
| Governor | Joe Frank Harris Zell Miller |
| Preceded by | David Poythress |
| Succeeded by | Lewis A. Massey |
| 10th Administrator of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981 | |
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Richard L. Roudebush |
| Succeeded by | Bob Nimmo |
| Member of the Georgia State Senate from the 55th district | |
| In office January 11, 1971 – January 13, 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Reeder |
| Succeeded by | Bud Stumbaugh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Maxwell Cleland August 24, 1942 |
| Died | November 9, 2021 (aged 79) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1965–1968 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
Joseph Maxwell Cleland (August 24, 1942 – November 9, 2021) was an American politician from Georgia. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a disabled U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, a recipient of the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous actions in combat, as well as a United States senator (1997–2003).
After returning from the Vietnam War having lost three limbs, he entered politics soon after recovering from his injuries. From 1971 to 1975, he served as a Georgia state senator. He also served as Administrator of Veterans Affairs under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981 and as Georgia Secretary of State from 1982 to 1996 before being elected to a single term in the United States Senate. After leaving the Senate in 2003, he served on the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States from 2003 to 2007, a presidentially appointed position. From 2009 to 2017, he served as Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.