Alexander Haig

Alexander Haig – Life, Career, and Legacy

Explore the life of Alexander M. Haig Jr. (1924–2010), the American general, White House chief of staff, NATO commander, and U.S. Secretary of State. Learn about his rise through the military, role in key presidential administrations, controversies, and lasting lessons.

Introduction

Alexander Meigs “Al” Haig Jr. (December 2, 1924 – February 20, 2010) was a leading American military officer and public servant who held several of the nation’s most powerful positions: White House Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), and U.S. Secretary of State.

Haig lived at the intersection of military command and political power. He served under multiple presidents, often during turbulent times, and his personality—strong, assertive, and occasionally controversial—both propelled him and invited criticism. His life illustrates how military experience, institutional ambition, and politics intertwine in American governance.

Early Life and Education

Alexander Haig was born in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, on December 2, 1924.

After his father died of cancer when Haig was young, his mother raised him and his siblings as Catholics.

Haig initially studied at University of Notre Dame for two years before winning a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1944.

Later, he augmented his military training with civilian academic credentials:

• MBA, Columbia Business School, 1955

• M.A. in International Relations from Georgetown University (1961)

• Attendance at the Naval War College as a major

These academic credentials sharpened his strategic outlook and gave him credentials beyond purely military command.

Military Service & Rise in Command

Haig’s military career spanned Korea, Vietnam, and Cold War NATO leadership. He accumulated many decorations and gained a reputation as a soldier-statesman.

Korean War & Early Service

During the Korean War, Haig served as an aide to General Alonzo P. Fox and later to General Edward Almond.

He received two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star with valor, and other honors.

Vietnam War

In Vietnam, Haig commanded a battalion and later a brigade of the 1st Infantry Division. Distinguished Service Cross.

Staff Roles & National Security

In the late 1960s, Haig became military assistant to Henry Kissinger, and then Deputy National Security Advisor. Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, skipping the rank of lieutenant general.

White House Chief of Staff

In May 1973, during the Watergate crisis, President Nixon named Haig as White House Chief of Staff after H. R. Haldeman’s resignation.

In August 1974, Haig played a behind-the-scenes role in persuading Nixon to resign and facilitating the transfer to Gerald Ford.

NATO Supreme Allied Commander (1974–1979)

In December 1974, Haig was appointed Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), overseeing all U.S. and NATO forces in Europe through 1979.

In 1979, Haig narrowly survived an assassination attempt in Belgium when a land mine detonated under a bridge his motorcade crossed.

He retired from the Army in July 1979.

Political & Diplomatic Career

After leaving active military duty, Haig carried his influence into diplomacy and politics.

Business & Think Tanks

Between military service and his role in the Reagan administration, Haig worked in the private sector and think tanks: he was affiliated with United Technologies Corporation and the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Secretary of State (1981–1982)

When Ronald Reagan became President in 1981, he nominated Haig as U.S. Secretary of State—making Haig one of the few career military officers to hold that post (alongside George Marshall and Colin Powell).

Key episodes & controversies:

• After the 1981 Reagan assassination attempt, Haig famously declared, “I am in control here,” asserting that he was directing crisis management in the White House. That statement was heavily criticized: critics said he overstepped or misinterpreted the chain of command.

• During the 1982 Lebanon War, Haig attempted to mediate between Israel and Lebanon/Palestinian groups, but was criticized for being partial to Israeli positions.

• Haig supported strong U.S. posture against Soviet expansion, and at times endorsed provocative policies (including talk of a “nuclear warning shot” in Europe).

• Friction developed between Haig and other cabinet members (notably Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger), over influence and policy clashes.

After about a year and a half, Haig resigned in July 1982.

Later Life & Other Pursuits

Following his public office, Haig stayed active in public commentary, consulting, and media:

• He ran (unsuccessfully) for the Republican presidential nomination in 1988.

• He hosted the television program World Business Review.

• Haig authored books, including Caveat: Realism, Reagan, and Foreign Affairs (1984) and his memoir Inner Circles: How America Changed the World (1992).

• He served on corporate boards and remained a voice in foreign policy debates.

Haig died on February 20, 2010, in Baltimore, Maryland, from complications of a staph infection.

Personality, Style & Critiques

Haig was a formidable personality—ambitious, disciplined, and supremely confident. He combined military decisiveness with political ambition. Supporters praised his ability to act under pressure and to navigate crises; critics accused him of arrogance, overreach, and a tendency toward domineering statements (e.g. “I am in control”).

His style did not always fit smoothly in the diplomatic world, where nuance and deference to multilateral consensus often matter. Some within the Reagan administration felt Haig sought too much influence outside the State Department’s traditional domain.

Nevertheless, Haig’s combination of battlefield valor, staff expertise, political audacity, and strategic vision made him a memorable—and sometimes polarizing—figure in U.S. public life.

Selected Quotes

Here are a few well-known statements attributed to Haig:

“I am in control here.” — Haig’s famous remark following the 1981 Reagan assassination attempt, asserting his role in White House crisis management.

“In politics, anything can happen, but nothing just happens.” — Reflecting his belief in active engagement and controlling outcomes. (Attributed in many sources.)

“Power is never surrendered without demand.” — Expressing his view that influence and authority must be asserted, not politely offered. (Attributed in writings about Haig’s philosophy.)

Because Haig was a public and rhetorical figure, many of his comments—especially during crises—are repeated in journals of diplomacy, memoirs, and newspaper archives.

Lessons & Takeaways

From Haig’s life and career, several lessons emerge:

1. Military experience can translate to policymaking—but with limits
   Haig’s battlefield and staff pedigree opened doors into diplomacy and politics—but success in those fields also demands interpersonal tact, institutional diplomacy, and humility.

2. Crisis moments define legacy
   The “I am in control” statement gives his career a lasting imprint—whether seen as leadership or overreach—showing how high-stakes moments amplify reputations.

3. Power struggles internal to administration are as consequential as external policy
   Haig’s conflicts with other Secretaries and staff illustrate that bureaucratic dynamics can be decisive in shaping a presidency.

4. Adaptability across roles is demanding
   Transitioning from Army general to White House chief to diplomat tests both temperament and range.

5. Ambition must be balanced with restraint
   Haig’s ambition propelled him upward, but his boldness sometimes clashed with institutional constraints or public expectations.

Conclusion

Alexander Haig remains a compelling figure in 20th-century American history: a decorated general who crossed into the heart of executive power, a crisis manager, and a statesman whose strengths and controversies were deeply entwined. His career spanned war zones, Watergate, alliance politics, and the shifting Cold War environment.