Brent Scowcroft, the only person to be a national security adviser under two different administrations, has died of natural causes. He was 95.
Scowcroft, a former Air Force general, was appointed by President Gerald Ford to be his national security adviser in 1975, replacing Henry Kissinger. He was later appointed to the same role under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1993. The elder statesman also advised numerous presidents on foreign policy matters.
The Scowcroft Group, an international business advisory firm, released a statement on Thursday announcing that he had died the day before.
“Brent Scowcroft was an American patriot and public servant of the highest order with an extraordinary military and government service career spanning over 60 years,” the statement said. “His entire professional life was devoted to how best to protect America and advance its interests. He mentored two generations of American public servants who revered him for his brilliance, integrity, humility and fundamental decency.”
“Given his role as advisor to US Presidents Richard Nixon through Barack Obama, no individual has provided as many commanders-in-chief as much national security advice — irrespective of party lines,” the statement added. Scowcroft drew attention in 2016 when he endorsed Hillary Clinton over President Trump during the election.
Scowcroft, a West Point graduate, retired from the Air Force in 1975 after 29 years of military service at the rank of lieutenant general. He first served as deputy national security adviser to President Richard Nixon before his promotion under Ford. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991 and was given an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth in 1993.
