Robert L. McNamara

Robert L. McNamara was a prominent American businessman and diplomat who served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968 under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Known for modernizing military strategy, he emphasized data and analysis in decision-making during the Cold War, including the Vietnam War. Before his government role, he was an influential executive at Ford Motor Company. After his government service, he worked on international development, advocating for global health and education initiatives. McNamara is remembered for his efforts to apply quantitative methods to complex policy issues and his reflection on the ethical dilemmas of strategic decisions.