Background
West was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There, he became an Eagle Scout with Bronze Palms, and attended Atkins High School (where his parents were teachers), graduating as valedictorian in 1959.
federal official Aerospace executive
West was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There, he became an Eagle Scout with Bronze Palms, and attended Atkins High School (where his parents were teachers), graduating as valedictorian in 1959.
He subsequently entered Howard University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering in 1965.
He was nominated by President Bill Clinton on January 27, 1998, during Clinton"s second term, and was confirmed by the Senate on May 5, 1998. He had previously served as Secretary of the Army from 1993 to 1997. He was the second African American to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
After completing law school and clerking for a federal judge, West entered the United States Army and served in the Judge Advocate General"s Corps.
He was in the Army Field Artillery Corps from 1965-1968 and the Army Judge Advocate General"s Corps from 1969-1973. He subsequently practiced law at the firm of Covington & Burling before being appointed an Associate Deputy Attorney General in the administration of President Gerald Ford.
Then, West held several posts in the administration of Jimmy Carter: General Counsel of the Navy (1977–1979), Special Assistant to the Secretary and to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (1979), and General Counsel of the Department of Defense (1980–1981). As the Secretary of the Army, West weighed in on the Aberdeen scandal, prompting stricter enforcement and investigation into the Army"s sexual harassment policies.
Since leaving the government, West has practiced law and served on the boards of various institutions.
From 2004-2006, he served as president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a Washington-based think tank focused on issues of concern to minorities. West and former Chief of Naval Operations retired Admiral Vernon Clark led the Defense Department"s investigation into the Fort Hood massacre, issuing a report in January 2010.
Commissioner District of Columbia Law Review Comm., 1982-1989, chairman, 1985-1989. Member National Council of Friends of John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, 1984-1991, treasurer, 1987-1991. Board of Governors Antioch University School Law, 1983-1987, vice chairman, 1986-1987.
Chairman Greater Washington Board Trade, legislation bureau, 1987-1989, board directors, 1987-1993, member Executive Committee 1987-1992. Member federal legislation committee, 1990-1993. Chairman Kennedy Center Community and Friends Board, since 1991.
Member Washington Lawyers' Committee Civil Rights Under Law, 1987-1993, District of Columbia Committee on Public Education, 1988-1993, chairman, 1990-1991. Trustee The Aerospace Corporation, 1983-1990, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1987-1990, National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, 1987-1993, Institute for Defense Analyses, 1989-1991, Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, since 1989, Shakespeare Theatre at The Folger, 1990-1993, North Carolina School Arts, since 1990, Aerospace Education Foundation of Air Force Association, 1991-1993. Board directors District of Columbia Law Students in Court Program, 1986-1992, World Affairs Council, 1991-1993, Atlantic Council, 1991-1993.
Member finance committee Episcopal Diocese of Washington, since 1989, member standing committee, 1990-1992. Senior warden St. John's Church, Lafayette Square. Chairman trustee county Young Men’s Christian Association Metro.
Washington, 1990-1992. Member of national advising committee United Nations Association United States of America, 1991-1993. District of Columbia Court Appeals Admissions Committee, 1990-1993.
Served to captain Judge Advisory General Corps United States Army, 1969-1973. Member American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Washington Council Lawyers (director 1973-1975), Sigma Pi Phi, Phi Alpha Delta, Omega Psi Psi, Alpha Phi Omega, Metropolitan Club, University Club (Washington), F St. Club.
Married Gail Estelle Berry, June 18, 1966. Children: Tiffany Berry, Hilary Carter.