Togo D. West, Jr.

Togo D. West Jr. was an American attorney and Army officer who held several senior positions in the United States federal government, most notably as the third Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the administration of President Bill Clinton from 1998 until his resignation in 2000. Prior to that role, he served as Secretary of the Army (1993–1998) and had a distinguished career in military law, including stints as General Counsel for both the Navy and the Department of Defense.

Early life and career

West was born on June 21, 1942, in Winston‑Salem, North Carolina. While growing up in that city he earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Bronze Palms, a distinction awarded to Scouts who complete additional merit badges beyond those required for the basic Eagle Scout rank. He attended Atkins High School, where his parents taught, and graduated as valedictorian in June 1960.

He entered Howard University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1965. Three years later he completed a Juris Doctor at Howard University School of Law, graduating cum laude and first in his class. During his undergraduate studies he joined the Zeta Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and while attending law school he became a member of the Kappa Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

While still a law student, West served as managing editor of the Howard Law Journal. It was during this period that he met Gail Berry, who would later become his wife. He also became active in his local church, serving as a vestryman and Senior Warden at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Lafayette Square.

West’s commitment to youth and community service extended beyond his own life. He served on the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, the organization’s governing body, and was later honored with the Distinguished Eagle Scout award and the Silver Buffalo Award for national contributions to American youth. In addition, he held the position of president of the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

After law school West clerked for federal District Judge Harold R. Tyler Jr., before entering active duty in the United States Army. He served in the Army Field Artillery Corps from 1965 to 1968, then attended The JAG School at the University of Virginia. Upon completion he joined the Army JAG Corps and worked as an Army lawyer from 1969 to 1973. His military service earned him the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Following his time in uniform West entered private practice with Covington & Burling, and later served as an associate deputy attorney general during President Gerald Ford’s administration. In the Carter administration he held several key legal positions: General Counsel of the Navy (1977–79), Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense (1979), and General Counsel of the Department of Defense (1980–81). As Secretary of the Army, West addressed issues related to sexual harassment policies in the wake of the Aberdeen scandal, leading to tighter enforcement and investigative procedures.

West returned to private practice in 1981 with Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler. He subsequently became senior vice president for government relations at Northrop Corporation before rejoining public service in the Clinton administration. In 1996, while serving as Secretary of the Army, he was awarded the Grand‑Officer of the Order of Military Merit by Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Cabinet tenure

President Bill Clinton nominated West to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs on January 27, 1998. The Senate confirmed his appointment on May 4, 1998. From January 2 to May 4, 1998, he simultaneously held the positions of Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of the Army while awaiting confirmation for the former role.

West’s tenure as Secretary of Veterans Affairs lasted until his resignation in 2000. During this period he oversaw the Department of Veterans Affairs, a federal agency responsible for providing benefits and services to military veterans. His leadership followed that of the second secretary of Veterans Affairs and preceded the next appointed secretary.

Legacy

Togo West Jr.’s career spanned both military service and high‑level civilian government positions, marking him as one of the most experienced legal professionals in defense and veteran affairs during his era. He was the second African American to hold the position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs, following a predecessor who had also broken racial barriers.

After leaving cabinet office West continued to influence public policy through private practice and board service. From 2004 to 2006 he served as president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a Washington‑based think tank that focuses on issues affecting minority communities. He was also a past board member of the Mount Vernon preservation society.

In addition to his civilian roles, West remained involved in military investigations. Together with former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vernon Clark, he led the Department of Defense’s inquiry into the Fort Hood massacre, producing a report released in January 2010.

West passed away from a heart attack on March 8, 2018 while traveling on a cruise between Barbados and Puerto Rico. He was 75 years old at the time of his death. His remains were interred at Arlington National Cemetery on April 26, 2018, reflecting his long service to the nation in both military and civilian capacities.