Charles E. Wilson (former U.S. Secretary of Defense)

Charles E. Wilson was a prominent American businessman and government official who served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 under President Eisenhower. Before his government role, he was the president of General Motors, a major car manufacturing company. His background in industry gave him a unique perspective on defense and military needs. Wilson was known for advocating a close relationship between government and big business to strengthen national defense, which led to the famous 1953 Senate confirmation controversy questioning whether his business interests conflicted with his public duties.