Robert McNamara

Robert McNamara was an influential American businessman and government official, best known for serving as the U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1968. A graduate of Harvard and former president of Ford Motor Company, he applied quantitative analysis to military decisions, promoting data-driven strategies. His tenure was marked by controversy over the escalation of the Vietnam conflict and his pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. After leaving government, McNamara wrote about his experiences and reflections on war and decision-making, contributing significantly to public understanding of military strategy and ethics. He passed away in 2019.