James Peake

James Peake
Peake in 2007
6th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
In office December 20, 2007 – January 20, 2009
President	George W. Bush
Deputy	Gordon H. Mansfield
Preceded by	Jim Nicholson
Succeeded by	Eric Shinseki
40th Surgeon General of the United States Army
In office September 22, 2000 – July 8, 2004
President	Bill Clinton George W. Bush
Preceded by	Ronald R. Blanck
Succeeded by	Kevin C. Kiley
Personal details
Born	(1944-06-18) June 18, 1944 (age 80) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	United States Military Academy (BS) Cornell University (MD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1966–2004
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	Medical Corps
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal Joint Services Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Combat Infantryman Badge Navy Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award Senior Parachutist Badge Pathfinder Badge Combat Medical Badge Army Staff Identification Badge

James Benjamin Peake (born June 18, 1944) was the sixth United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, serving from 2007 to 2009. In 2004, he retired from a 38-year United States Army career. He also served as the 40th Surgeon General of the United States Army.