Togo West
| Togo D. West, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 3rd United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
|
In office May 4, 1998 – July 10, 2000 |
|
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Jesse Brown |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Principi |
| United States Secretary of the Army | |
|
In office November 22, 1993 – May 4, 1998 |
|
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Gordon Sullivan (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Mike Walker (Acting) |
| General Counsel of the Navy | |
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In office April 22, 1977 – January 13, 1979 |
|
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Grey Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Coleman Hicks |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Togo Dennis West Jr. June 21, 1942 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Gail Berry |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Education | Howard University (BS, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1965–1973 |
| Unit | Army Judge Advocate General's Corps |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal |
Togo Dennis West Jr. (born June 21, 1942) is an American attorney and public official who was the third person to occupy the post of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He was nominated by President Bill Clinton on January 27, 1998, during Clinton's second term, and was confirmed by the Senate on May 4, 1998. He had previously served as Secretary of the Army from 1993 to 1998. From January 2, 1998 through May 4, 1998, he served a dual role as Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of the Army while awaiting confirmation as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He was the second African American to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
West was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; there, he became an Eagle Scout with Bronze Palms, and attended Atkins High School (where his parents were teachers), graduating as valedictorian in 1959. He subsequently entered Howard University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering in 1965. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the Howard University School of Law in 1968, receiving cum laude honors and graduating first in his class. While a freshman at Howard University, he became a brother of Zeta Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. West is a member of the Kappa Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. While a student at the Howard University School of Law, West became the managing editor for the Howard Law Journal; he also met Gail Berry, who became his wife. The Wests later had two daughters.
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