Cleland, Max, 1942-2021

Joseph Maxwell Cleland (August 24, 1942 – November 9, 2021) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party from Georgia, he notably served as a Georgia State Senator from 1971 to 1975, as the 10th Administrator of Veterans Affairs from 1977 to 1981, as the 23rd Secretary of State of Georgia from 1983 to 1996, and as a United States Senator from Georgia from 1997 to 2003.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Lithonia, Georgia, he graduated from Lithonia High School before earning a B.A. degree from Stetson University and an M.A. degree from Emory University. A year into his master’s program, Cleland entered the army, eventually attaining the rank of captain. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh. On April 8, 1968, Captain Cleland was the Battalion Signal Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division; with a month left in his tour, Cleland was ordered to set up a radio relay station on a nearby hill. A helicopter flew him and two soldiers to the treeless top of Hill 471, east of Khe Sanh. When the helicopter landed, Cleland jumped out, followed by the two soldiers. They ducked because of the rotor wash and turned to watch the liftoff. Cleland reached down to pick up a grenade that he believed had fallen off of his flak jacket. It exploded and the blast slammed him backward. Due to the severity of his wounds, doctors amputated both of Cleland's legs above the knee, and his right forearm.

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