William J. Perry

William J. Perry (born October 11, 1927) is an American mathematician, engineer, and businessman who served as the 19th United States Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton from February 3, 1994, to January 23, 1997. His tenure was marked by efforts to reform the Pentagon and to reduce the global nuclear threat. Perry's career spans academia, private industry, and public service, making significant contributions to national security and defense policies.

Early Life and Education

William James Perry was born in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. He received a B.S. and M.S. in mathematics from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Pennsylvania State University. Perry's academic work laid the foundation for his later contributions to defense analysis and technology.

Career

Early Career

Before his appointment as Secretary of Defense, Perry's career included both public service and private sector roles. He was an executive at several high-technology companies and also served as a technical consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense during the Cold War, focusing on satellite reconnaissance and electronic defense systems.

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering

In the 1970s, Perry played a key role in the development of GPS technology and was instrumental in the decision to make GPS freely available for civilian use, a decision that has had a lasting impact on the world economy and daily life.

Secretary of Defense

As Secretary of Defense, Perry worked on downsizing the military following the end of the Cold War, focusing on what he called "preventive defense" to reduce the global nuclear threat. He was involved in the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program, which aimed to secure and dismantle nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union. Perry also advocated for the expansion of NATO and led efforts to modernize the military, emphasizing readiness and technological superiority.

Post-Government Career

After leaving the Pentagon, Perry returned to academia, joining the faculty at Stanford University as a professor of engineering with a focus on national security. He has been a vocal advocate for nuclear non-proliferation and has written extensively on the subject. Perry has also served on various boards and commissions related to defense and national security.

Legacy

Perry's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His efforts to reduce the global nuclear threat and his contributions to national security policy have left a lasting impact on U.S. defense strategy and international relations.

See Also

• Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction
• NATO
• Cold War
• Presidential Medal of Freedom