Who was the U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Gulf War?

The U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Gulf War, which occurred from 1990 to 1991, was Dick Cheney. He played a significant role in the planning and execution of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, the two major military operations that were part of the Gulf War. Under his leadership, the Pentagon successfully coordinated the massive coalition force that included troops from various countries aimed at liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Cheney's management and strategic decision-making were crucial in ensuring a swift victory against Iraqi forces, which was completed in just over six weeks after the war began.

In contrast, the other figures mentioned were not in the position of Secretary of Defense during this critical period. Colin Powell was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War, while Donald Rumsfeld served as Secretary of Defense later, during the Iraq War in the early 2000s. Leon Panetta held the position of Secretary of Defense even later, from 2011 to 2013, well after the events of the Gulf War. Therefore, recognizing Dick Cheney as the Secretary of Defense during the Gulf War highlights his pivotal role in one of the most significant military conflicts of the early 1990s.