Max Cleland

Joseph Maxwell Cleland (August 24, 1942 – November 9, 2021) was an American politician. Cleland, a Democrat, was a disabled US Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was the United States Senator from Georgia from 1997 through 2003.

Max Cleland
Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission
In office June 3, 2009 – January 20, 2017
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	John W. Nicholson
Succeeded by	William M. Matz Jr.
United States Senator from Georgia
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by	Sam Nunn
Succeeded by	Saxby Chambliss
23rd Secretary of State of Georgia
In office January 11, 1983 – January 1996
Governor	Joe Harris Zell Miller
Preceded by	David Poythress
Succeeded by	Lewis Massey
Administrator of Veterans Affairs
In office January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Richard Roudebush
Succeeded by	Bob Nimmo
Member of the Georgia Senate from the 55th district
In office January 11, 1971 – January 13, 1975
Preceded by	Ed Reeder
Succeeded by	Bud Stumbaugh
Personal details
Born	Joseph Maxwell Cleland (1942-08-24)August 24, 1942 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Died	November 9, 2021(2021-11-09) (aged 79) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Stetson University (BA) Emory University (MA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1965–1968
Rank	Captain
Unit	2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars	Vietnam War  • Battle of Khe Sanh
Awards	Silver Star Bronze Star with "V" Device Soldier's Medal National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal

From 2003 to 2007, he was on the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.^[1][2] From 2009 to 2017, he was Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

He lost serval limbs when he was blown by a grenade during his service in the Vietnam War.^[3]

Cleland died on November 9, 2021 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia from heart failure, aged 79.^[4]