Max Cleland 1942–

Name ______Class ______Date ______The Vietnam War Biography Max Cleland 1942–

WHY HE MADE HISTORY This former U.S. senator lost both legs and an arm when a grenade exploded during his service in the Vietnam War. He has used his experience as an American war hero to champion the rights of veterans.

As you read the biography below, think about why Max Cleland is a hero. How did he use his experience in the Vietnam War to help others? Used with permission. Image courtesy courtesy Image permission. with Used Project History Veterans of

By the time American troops withdrew from Vietnam in 1975, thousands were dead. More than 300,000 returned home wounded. Many others were still held as prisoners of war or missing in action. Veterans of the Vietnam War did not return home to the welcome that soldiers had received in the past. And they did not receive the health care or support they needed. Max Cleland used his war experience to help veterans in need. Born in Georgia in 1942, Max Cleland was more interested in sports than in his studies. He played tennis and basketball. He attended Stetson University in Florida and changed his major more than once. In 1963 he signed up for an internship program at American University in Washington, D.C. He was interested in politics, and the program offered an opportunity to observe politicians in action. A few months after the program began in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Inspired by Kennedy’s leadership, Cleland decided to go into politics. He finished his undergraduate degree at Stetson, then received a master’s degree at Emory University in Georgia. He returned to Washington, D.C., in 1965 as an intern in Congress. The war in Vietnam was in full swing by the time Cleland was back in Washington. Cleland enlisted in the army and was sent to Vietnam. In 1968 he was seriously wounded during the battle of Khe Sanh. Cleland lost both legs and part of one arm when a grenade dropped by another soldier exploded. He was just 25 years old. Cleland returned to the United States with no job. He decided to return to politics. He was elected to the Georgia senate in 1970 and became the youngest person to hold that office in state history. In 1977 President Jimmy Carter, also from Georgia, appointed Cleland to head the United States Veterans Administration. Again, he was the youngest person to hold such an office. The people of Georgia also elected him to the U.S. senate in

1996. He served one term but was defeated in the election for a second term in 2002. Cleland used his own personal tragedy to help veterans returning from war. During more than 30 years in politics, Cleland has earned respect for the work he has done in health care, bio-terrorism preparedness, and homeland security. He continues to work in politics today.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. Describe What event inspired Max Cleland to go into politics?

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______2. Elaborate In your opinion, is Max Cleland a hero? Why or why not?

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ACTIVITY Max Cleland has worked to improve the health care and social services available to veterans. What kinds of improvements do you think Cleland would make today if he were still head of the Veterans Administration? Research the services provided for veterans today, and list the services that you think should be offered to veterans.