Les Brownlee - 1962

Former Acting Secretary of the Army

Texas native Les Brownlee was named Acting Secretary of the Army on May 10, 2003. His previous military career included two tours in Vietnam, and he retired as a U.S. Army colonel in 1984. Following his military service, Brownlee acted as the Principal Senate Armed Services Committee Professional Staff Member from 1987 to 1996. There he was responsible for Army and Marine Corps programs, special operations forces, and drug interdiction policy and support. In January 1987 he served on the Republican staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

After special nomination by President George W. Bush, Brownlee became the 27th Under Secretary of the Army on November 14, 2001. His military decorations include the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart. 

A 1962 University of Wyoming graduate, Brownlee went on the receive an M.B.A. from the University of Alabama. He is also a distinguished honor graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger Course, and an honor graduate of both the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff College. He completed the U.S. Army's airborne course and is a graduate of U.S. Army War College.

Brownlee retired as Acting Secretary of the Army in December 2004.

Photos courtesy of UW News Service and American Heritage Center