Oral Histories

The Clements National Security Papers collects the written records of William P. Clements, Jr.’s time as Deputy Secretary of Defense—but written records are not the only source available to historians seeking to understand Bill Clements and his role in American history. This archive also preserves oral history interviews with key people who worked with Clements during his time at the Defense Department.

Oral histories strengthen the historical record by including the firsthand perspectives of Clements’ colleagues. The Clements Center for National Security sought out and interviewed individuals who worked alongside Clements at the National Security Council or Department of Defense. The full transcripts of those interviews are preserved here.

The Clements Oral History Project is an ongoing effort, and new transcripts will be added as additional interviews are conducted.

 

Kenneth Adelman

Kenneth Adelman served as an assistant to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld from 1975 to 1977. He later served in the Reagan administration as Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN and, later, Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.

Transcript

Secretary Norman Augustine

Secretary Norman Augustine served sequentially as Assistant Secretary, Undersecretary, and finally Acting Secretary of the Army from 1973 to 1977. He spent his later career in the defense and aerospace industry, including as President and CEO of Lockheed Martin.

Transcript

Admiral Kenneth M. Carr

Admiral Kenneth M. Carr served as military assistant to Deputy Secretary Clements. He later served as Commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and as Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the George H.W. Bush administration.

Transcript

Dr. Malcolm Currie

Dr. Malcolm Currie served as Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering from 1973 to 1977, with responsibility for weapons R&D and acquisition. He was later Chairman and CEO of Hughes and Chairman of the Board of Regents for USC.

Transcript

Secretary Martin Hoffmann

Martin R. Hoffmann served as the Secretary of the Army between 1975 and 1977. Previously, he served as the general counsel to the Atomic Energy Commission, special assistant to the Secretary of Defense, and general counsel to the Department of Defense.

Transcript

Peter J. O'Donnell, Jr.

Peter J. O'Donnell, Jr., one of Bill Clements' closest friends, served as a key adviser to Clements on personnel matters at the Pentagon. He is a Texas businessman and philanthropist.

Transcript

Secretary Thomas C. Reed

Thomas C. Reed served in several senior Pentagon positions under Clements from 1973-1977, including as Secretary of the Air Force and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. He later served as a senior official on President Reagan's National Security Council staff. He is a California-based writer and businessman.

Transcript

Senator John Warner

Senator John Warner served as Secretary of the Navy 1972 to 1974. He later served as a United States Senator from Virginia from 1979 to 2009.

Transcript

The collection of these documents and production of this website was made possible by the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. Peter O’Donnell, Jr.