Ed Derwinski

Ed Derwinski
1st United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
In office
March 15, 1989  September 26, 1992
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJesse Brown
Administrator of Veterans Affairs
In office
January 21, 1989  March 15, 1989
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byThomas Turnage
Succeeded byPosition abolished
8th Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs
In office
March 24, 1987  January 21, 1989
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byWilliam Schneider
Succeeded byReginald Bartholomew
22nd Counselor of the United States Department of State
In office
March 23, 1983  March 24, 1987
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byJames L. Buckley
Succeeded byMax Kampelman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 4th district
In office
January 3, 1959  January 3, 1983
Preceded byWilliam E. McVey
Succeeded byGeorge M. O'Brien
Personal details
Born
Edward Joseph Derwinski

(1926-09-15)September 15, 1926
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 15, 2012(2012-01-15) (aged 85)
Oak Brook, Illinois, U.S.
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Patricia van der Giessen
Bonnie Hickey
Children2
EducationLoyola University, Chicago (BS)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1944–1946
UnitInfantry
Battles/warsWorld War II

Edward Joseph Derwinski (September 15, 1926 – January 15, 2012) was an American politician who served as the first Cabinet-level United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, serving under President George H. W. Bush from March 15, 1989 to September 26, 1992. He previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1983, representing south and southwest suburbs of Chicago.