Donald Rumsfeld, who served twice as the U.S. defense secretary under two presidents and oversaw the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11, died on Wednesday, his family said in a statement. He was 88.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, an American statesman and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico,” the statement said.
“History may remember him for his extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service, but for those who knew him best and whose lives were forever changed as a result, we will remember his unwavering love for his wife Joyce, his family and friends, and the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country.”
Rumsfeld served as defense secretary to Presidents Gerald Ford and George W. Bush, serving as both the youngest and oldest person to hold the position. He also served as Ford’s White House Chief of Staff and an ambassador to NATO under both Ford and President Richard Nixon.
Following 9/11, Rumsfeld was the architect of the Pentagon’s war on al-Qaida in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq under Saddam Hussein, who was ousted by the U.S. Years later, the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib was among his controversies.
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Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com
