Eric Shinseki: Newly Appointed U.S. Secretary of Veteran's Affairs

Presiden Barack Obama nominated Eric Shinseki for the United States Secretary of Veteran Affairs. If agreed upon by Congress, he would become the seventh in American history.

Shinseki was born on November 28^th, 1942. He was the 34^th Chief of Staff of the United States Army. He was the first Asian American to be a four-star general. He is most known for fighting with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld during the preparations for the war in Iraq. Many people believe that Shinseki was more accurate when trying to determine how many troops would be needed to control Iraq. It has been universally accepted that Shinseki was correct. However, Rumsfeld has denied this, saying that Shinseki was "wildly off the mark."

Shinseki was born in Kauai, which, at the time was a territory of Hawaii. He attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science. He earned his Masters in English Literature from Duke University. He also attended the National War College, the USA Command and General Staff College, and the Armor Officer Advanced Course.

He has taught in the English Department for the U.S. military. He has had over ten years of service in Europe, with an extensive resume. Some of the experience he has had includes being Commander twice, Assistant Chief of Staff twice, Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Support. He is the only Japanese American and the only Asian American to be promoted to the Army's top position. He fought in the Vietnam and Bosnian War.

Shinseki has received numerous awards. He was received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal twice, the Army Distinguished Service Medal twice, the Legion of Merit Award twice, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal. He also has received three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. He has also received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

He was worked as a director for a couple corporations, including Honeywell International, Grove Farm Corporation, and First Hawaiian Bank. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. On December 6^th, reports confirmed that Shinseki would be nominated by Obama for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs position. He would become the first Asian-American to hold this post if he receives this position.

Eric Shinseki, Wikipedia.com