John Chafee
John Lester Hubbard Chafee (October 22, 1922 – October 24, 1999) was an American politician. He was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He was the 66th Governor of Rhode Island. He was the Secretary of the Navy. He was a United States Senator.
John Chafee | |
---|---|
United States Senator from Rhode Island | |
In office December 28, 1976 – October 24, 1999 | |
Preceded by | John O. Pastore |
Succeeded by | Lincoln Chafee |
59th United States Secretary of the Navy 12th Secretary under the DoD | |
In office January 31, 1969 – May 4, 1972 | |
President | Richard Nixon |
Preceded by | Paul R. Ignatius |
Succeeded by | John Warner |
66th Governor of Rhode Island | |
In office January 1, 1963 – January 7, 1969 | |
Preceded by | John A. Notte, Jr. |
Succeeded by | Frank Licht |
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works | |
In office January 4, 1995 – October 24, 1999 | |
Preceded by | Max Baucus |
Succeeded by | Robert C. Smith |
Personal details | |
Born | John Lester Hubbard Chafee October 22, 1922 Providence, Rhode Island |
Died | October 24, 1999 Washington, D.C. | (aged 77)
Resting place | Chafee Family Cemetery Warwick, Rhode Island |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Virginia Coates Chafee |
Alma mater | Yale University (1947) Harvard Law School (1950) |
Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1942–1945, 1951–1953 |
Rank | Captain |
Battles/wars | World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal * Battle of Okinawa Chosin Reservoir |
Chafee was born on October 22, 1922 in Providence, Rhode Island. He studied at Yale University and at Harvard Law School. Chafee was married to Virginia Coates until his death in 1999. They had six children; one daughter was killed in an racing accident.
Chafee died suddenly on October 24, 1999 from congestive heart failure in his home in Washington, D.C., aged 77.[1] He is buried at Chafee Family Cemetery in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Chafee's son, Lincoln, is a former governor and former senator of Rhode Island.
John Chafee Media
Official portrait in the Rhode Island State House