More information:

https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/assets/documents/findingaids/Cleland_Joseph_Maxwell.pdf



Joseph "Max" Cleland (1942–2021) is a Notable burial at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/georgia.asp.  He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on August 24, 1942. He was an outstanding student athlete who was drawn to public service. He earned a B.A. from Stetson university and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army through its ROTC program. He earned an M.A. in history from Emory University. Cleland volunteered for service during the height of the Vietnam War in 1967. He lost both legs and his right arm when a grenade detonated beside him during a mission near Khe Sanh in April 1968. Cleland overcame his physical and mental wounds. He was elected as the youngest member of the Georgia senate in 1970 at age 34. President Jimmy Carter appointed him to head the Veterans Administration in 1977. Addressing Veteran's mental health was a key focus of his tenure. Cleland became Georgia's Secretary of State in 1982 and held that office for 12 years. He was elected to the U.S. Senate (Ga.-D) in 1996 and served one term. He was appointed to the 9-11 Commission in 2002. In 2009 President Barack Obama appointed him Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He was appointed Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Arlington National Cemetery in 2010. Cleland's career was devoted to Veterans issues and honoring their memory. He was instrumental in bringing Georgia National Cemetery to the state after Marietta closed to burials in the 1970s. He died November 9, 2021.
https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP18/20150318/103131/HHRG-114-AP18-Bio-ClelandM-20150318.pdf
*The preceding content is not intended as a comprehensive biography, but it highlights their significance as a result of military or civilian distinction, lasting achievements, or association with impactful national events. 

Max Cleland, head of the Veterans Administration, listens to guest speakers at the ceremony honoring the prisoners of war from the Vietnam era in Arlington, Virginia, July 1980. National Archives

Georgia National Cemetery

“Heroes are remembered but legends never die.” 

The brave die never, though they sleep in dust, their courage nerves a thousand living men.

— Minot J. Savage

JOSEPH MAX CLELAND

Service

CPT

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

undefined

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us