John F. Lehman
Sub head title
As the chief executive of the Navy, he was responsible for the management of 1.2 million people, an annual budget of $95 billion and total assets equivalent to those of the seven largest Fortune 500 corporations combined. Prior to being appointed Secretary of the Navy, Dr. Lehman served as President of the aerospace consulting firm Abington Corporation, a delegate to the Mutual Balanced Force Reductions negotiations, Deputy Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and a senior staff member to Dr. Henry Kissinger at the White House. For more than two decades, Dr. Lehman flew various tactical aircraft for the Naval Reserve.
Military career
In January 1981, while he was president of the Abington Corporation, Lehman was selected to be Secretary of the Navy for President Ronald Regan’s administration. During his tenure as the 65th Secretary of the Navy, Lehman supported the idea of building a “600-ship Navy” to rebuild the fleet after post–Vietnam War cutbacks and to counter the Soviet threat. He also developed what would become to be known as the “Lehman Doctrine,” which was the plan for a military response to a Russian invasion of Europe. Lehman, who was still a Reserve naval aviation officer while serving as secretary, was an advocate for the resurgence of aircraft carriers. His support for the 600-ship Navy, promotion of the U.S. maritime strategy, and reactivation of Iowa-class battleships were his solution to overcoming Soviet military superiority by bringing the fight to their doorstep. Lehman resigned from the position on 10 April 1987.
Secretary of the Navy (1981–1987)
After serving as secretary, Lehman was a leading member of a number of conservative American think tanks. In 2002, Lehman worked on the 9/11 Commission. During the 2008 presidential election, Lehman was named a possible leading candidate for Secretary of Defense, but Senator John McCain lost the election to President Barrack Obama.
The future Arleigh Burke-class missile guided destroyer USS John F. Lehman (DDG-137) is named in his honor. Published: Mon Jan 09 12:48:00 EST 2023
John F. Lehman
U.S. Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command
John F. Lehman, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 14 September 1942. His father commanded an LCS in WWII in the Pacific and received the bronze star for combat in Okinawa. After graduating from high school, Lehman entered St. Joseph’s College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international relations in 1964. He went on to obtain his master’s degree at Cambridge University and his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. While he was at Cambridge, he spent three years in the Air Force Reserves. In 1968, he left the Air Force Reserves and accepted a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, where he ultimately advanced to the rank of captain as a naval aviator. While serving in the Reserves, he also served on the National Security Council and as deputy director of the U. S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
In January 1981, while he was president of the Abington Corporation, Lehman was selected to be Secretary of the Navy for President Ronald Reagan’s administration. During his tenure as the 65th Secretary of the Navy, Lehman supported the idea of building a “600-ship Navy” to rebuild the fleet after post-Vietnam War cutbacks and to counter the Soviet threat. He also developed what would become to be known as the “Lehman Doctrine,” which was the plan for a military response to a Russian invasion of Europe. Lehman, who was still a Reserve naval aviator while serving as secretary, was an advocate for the resurgence of aircraft carriers. His support for the 600-ship Navy, promotion of the U.S. maritime strategy, and reactivation of the Iowa-class battleships were his solution to overcoming Soviet military superiority by bringing the fight to their doorstep. Lehman resigned from the position on April 10, 1987. (US Navy. Published January 9, 2023)
Education and family
Lehman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Constance (Cruice) and John Francis Lehman, an industrial engineer and decorated US Navy veteran (Lieutenant Commander).[5] He graduated from La Salle College High School and received a B.S. in international relations from Saint Joseph’s University in 1964, gained a B.A. from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (later elevated to an M.A.), and went on to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
He is a first cousin once removed of Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco), and is Chairman of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, a public charity established after Princess Grace’s death to support emerging artists in film, dance, and theater. He led the American delegation to the funeral of Prince Rainier. He and his family live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and in Manhattan. He is a long-time Republican.
Education and family
Mr. Lehman is married to Barbara Thornton Wieland of Philadelphia. He has three children, Alexandra, John III and Grace and three grandchildren, Jack, George and Lucy.
Mr. Lehman has received numerous awards and honours including: the 1992 Chester W. Nimitz Memorial Lecture in National Security Affairs, University of California, Berkeley; The Distinguished Patriot Award, Sons of the Revolution; America and the Sea Award, Mystic Seaport Museum. For a complete list see “Awards “ section in the webpage.
Lehman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Constance (Cruice) and John Francis Lehman, an industrial engineer and decorated US Navy veteran (Lieutenant Commander).[5] He graduated from La Salle College High School and received a B.S. in international relations from Saint Joseph’s University in 1964, gained a B.A. from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (later elevated to an M.A.), and went on to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
He is a first cousin once removed of Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco), and is Chairman of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, a public charity established after Princess Grace’s death to support emerging artists in film, dance, and theater. He led the American delegation to the funeral of Prince Rainier. He and his family live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and in Manhattan. He is a long-time Republican.
Military career
In January 1981, while he was president of the Abington Corporation, Lehman was selected to be Secretary of the Navy for President Ronald Reagan’s administration. During his tenure as the 65th Secretary of the Navy, Lehman supported the idea of building a “600-ship Navy” to rebuild the fleet after post–Vietnam War cutbacks and to counter the Soviet threat. He also developed what would become to be known as the “Lehman Doctrine,” which was the plan for a military response to a Russian invasion of Europe. Lehman, who was still a Reserve naval aviation officer while serving as secretary, was an advocate for the resurgence of aircraft carriers. His support for the 600-ship Navy, promotion of the U.S. maritime strategy, and reactivation of Iowa-class battleships were his solution to overcoming Soviet military superiority by bringing the fight to their doorstep. Lehman resigned from the position on 10 April 1987.
Secretary of the Navy (1981–1987)
After serving as secretary, Lehman was a leading member of a number of conservative American think tanks. In 2002, Lehman worked on the 9/11 Commission. During the 2008 presidential election, Lehman was named a possible leading candidate for Secretary of Defense, but Senator John McCain lost the election to President Barack Obama.
The future Arleigh Burke-class missile guided destroyer USS John F. Lehman (DDG-137) is named in his honor. Published: Mon Jan 09 12:48:00 EST 2023