Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr.

Elmo Russell Zumwalt, Jr. (November 29, 1920 – January 2, 2000) was an American naval leader. As an admiral and later Chief of Naval Operations in the U.S. Navy, Zumwalt played a major part in the Vietnam War, where he personally awarded future Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry the Silver Star. A highly decorated war veteran, Zumwalt was also responsible for making major reforms to Naval personnel policies in an effort to improve enlisted life and ease racial tensions. Late in life, he launched an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senator.

Later Years

In 1976, he unsuccessfully ran as a Democratic candidate for the Senate from Virginia. Later he held the presidency of the American Medical Building Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Related Topics:
1976 - Democratic - Senate - Virginia - American Medical Building Corporation - Milwaukee - Wisconsin

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Admiral Zumwalt died on 2 January 2000 at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. His home was in Arlington, Virginia. He was married to the former Mouza Coutelais-du-Roche of Harbin, Manchuria, and they had two sons, Elmo R. Zumwalt III, who died of cancer in 1988, possibly due to Agent Orange exposure, and James Gregory Zumwalt, and two daughters, Ann F. Zumwalt Coppola and Mouza C. Zumwalt-Weathers. He was also survived by six grandchildren. Admiral Zumwalt and his son wrote a book called My Father My Son where they discussed their family tragedy. Admiral Zumwalt said he felt his son's illness was most definitely due to Agent Orange. He also mentioned that his grandson suffered from very severe learning disabilities that could possibly be traced to it as well. The Admiral mentioned that he felt terrible guilt and shame over his decision to have US Navy planes use the infamous defoliant during the war. It should be noted that the younger Zumwalt said he bore his father no bitterness and did not blame him.

Related Topics:
2 January - 2000 - Duke University Medical Center - Durham, North Carolina - Arlington, Virginia - Harbin - Manchuria - Elmo R. Zumwalt III - Cancer - 1988 - Agent Orange

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